OCFA reports normal incident levels, promotes March 15 open house and warns of likely CAL FIRE map changes

An Orange County Fire Authority representative told the Villa Park City Council the city had a routine month of emergency responses and urged residents to prepare for a likely expansion of high fire-hazard severity designations.

OCFA reported 46 incidents in Villa Park during the interval covered (January 28–February 25), including two structure fires, one vehicle fire and one brush fire. The OCFA speaker advised residents to follow simple home-hardening guidance and to rehearse escape plans: “Nobody plans for a structure fire. Nobody plans to have a fire at their house. So now is the time to develop a plan with your family,” the OCFA representative said.

OCFA highlighted its open house on Saturday, March 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; the event will include helicopters, equipment displays and demonstrations. The speaker said last year’s open house drew about 5,500 visitors and encouraged families to attend.

CAL FIRE fire-hazard severity map changes and insurance questions City and OCFA staff said they have met with Southern California Edison and property owners to discuss vegetation and fuel concerns in the Smith Basin and other locations near electrical lines. The OCFA representative and staff explained CAL FIRE is issuing updated fire hazard severity maps for Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) rather than only State Responsibility Areas (SRA). Staff said Villa Park’s updated map portion is scheduled to be released around March 24.

OCFA cautioned that the maps identify hazard zones but do not automatically change insurance underwriting; they recommended residents treat the maps as an opportunity to take mitigation steps. The OCFA representative said the immediate actionable guidance includes reducing combustible materials within 5 feet of dwellings (the “0–5 zone”) and taking other home-hardening measures to reduce ember risk.

Staff follow-up and interagency coordination Council members asked whether the Orange County Water District had been involved in vegetation inspections; staff replied that Edison would coordinate with property owners and utilities and that OCFA would continue to contact owners and coordinate inspections. City staff said the fire marshal’s community wildfire risk section was already engaged in inspections and outreach.

Council members asked staff to keep residents advised about the map release and potential insurance implications and to continue working with property owners and Southern California Edison to address vegetation and fuel near power lines.

Key facts on record - Reporting period: January 28–February 25; total incidents reported for Villa Park: 46; structure fires: 2; vehicle fire: 1; brush fire: 1. - OCFA open house: March 15, 2025, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. - CAL FIRE LRA hazard map release expected March 24, 2025 (staff estimate); residents urged to address combustible materials in the 0–5 foot zone around homes.

OCFA recommended residents use the updated maps as a prompt to take mitigation steps and to monitor city communications for updates about vegetation management and any coordination with utilities.