Siskiyou supervisors open 30-day public comment on state fire-hazard maps; staff to draft letter to legislators

Siskiyou County officials reopened a public review period for newly issued fire hazard severity zone maps from the State Fire Marshal and outlined a compressed local process to adopt a county ordinance by the state deadline.

County community development staff told the board that, under state law, the State Fire Marshal must identify fire hazard severity zones and that local agencies must make the maps available for public comment within 30 days of transmittal and adopt an ordinance designating moderate, high or very high hazard areas within 120 days. The county’s notice was issued Feb. 10; staff said comments are due by April 2, 2025, at 5 p.m. Pacific and that the county must submit its ordinance to the State Fire Marshal by June 9, 2025.

The timing and potential local impacts were the focus of most questions. Supervisor Harris said the county is being given “a short time frame” to complete public outreach and an ordinance process and worried that the maps could affect…