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Rancho Mirage adopts state fire-hazard map and incorporates local hazard mitigation plan into General Plan
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Summary
The Rancho Mirage City Council on May 15 adopted the Cal Fire fire hazard severity zones map for the city’s local responsibility area and amended the General Plan safety element to incorporate the city’s 2023 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan under AB 2140.
The Rancho Mirage City Council on May 15 adopted the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) fire hazard severity zones map for the city’s local responsibility area and amended the General Plan safety element to incorporate the city’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) by reference under Assembly Bill 2140.
Tyler Folkes, senior management analyst, told the council the state mapping classifies wildfire hazard strictly on environmental factors—vegetation, topography and weather—and that the updated map designates portions of Rancho Mirage as “moderate” hazard. “Notably, there are no areas within the city limits that have been designated as high or very high hazard,” Folkes said.
Folkes explained that jurisdictions may adopt more restrictive classifications but may not reduce a state designation. He said adopting a higher classification would trigger additional regulatory requirements—stricter building codes, expanded defensible-space rules and mandatory real-estate disclosures—and staff did not recommend those measures given local conditions and mitigation capabilities.
Separately, senior planner Joy Tsai presented a council-requested General Plan text amendment to incorporate the city’s 2023 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan by reference to comply with AB 2140. Tsai said the step makes Rancho Mirage eligible for additional recovery of local share costs through the California Disaster Assistance Act following a state certification process. The planning commission had recommended the General Plan amendment on April 24, 2025.
During public comment and council remarks, Council members referenced recent statewide wildfire insurance developments and the role of Cal Fire in communicating map impacts to the insurance commissioner and other agencies. “I just wanna commend Cal Fire for their work and advocacy,” one council member said, noting large recent insurance rate increases announced by insurers.
The council introduced an ordinance adopting the fire-hazard map pursuant to Government Code section 51178 and adopted a resolution finding the General Plan safety element amendment exempt from CEQA (guidelines section 15061(b)(3)) and incorporating the LHMP in accordance with AB 2140. Both items passed without dissent.
