Moraga–Orinda fire chief: new state CAL FIRE maps expand some ‘very high’ zones; questions remain on methodology

Chief Isaacs, the fire chief for the Moraga–Orinda Fire District (MOFD), told the Orinda City Council on March 4 that the long‑awaited CAL FIRE fire hazard severity zone maps have been released and that the maps include some unexpected changes for Orinda.

“This is an item that we've spoken about, in length for many years. Happy to report the maps have finally come out,” Chief Isaacs said, and he told the council the maps were released after Governor Newsom issued an executive order directing the Office of the State Fire Marshal to publish the updated maps and directing the Board of Forestry to prepare Zone 0 regulations by Dec. 31, 2025.

The newly published map expands areas designated “very high” fire hazard severity in Orinda, Chief Isaacs said; he specifically named El Toyon and portions of North Orinda and said he did not anticipate “the West Side of Orinda into Moraga going to very high down Moraga Way.” He said MOFD will post the maps on…