Council introduces ordinance to adopt 2025 Local Responsibility Area fire hazard severity maps

The Glendale City Council introduced an ordinance July 15 to adopt the 2025 Local Responsibility Area (LRA) fire hazard severity zone maps as recommended by the California State Fire Marshal. Staff and the Glendale Fire Department explained that the updated maps, based on refined modeling and local climate data, increase the number of parcels classified as very high fire hazard severity by 7,410 — raising the city’s annual inspection workload from roughly 8,973 parcels to about 16,383 parcels after the maps take effect and inspections commence in the following year.

Fire Chief Jeff Brooks described the mapping methodology as incorporating recent fire history, wind and terrain modeling and noted the maps were produced before recent regional fires such as Eaton and Palisades. The state requires local agencies with responsibility for wildland‑urban interface zones to adopt, at minimum, the state‑recommended maps; jurisdictions may adopt stricter standards but cannot reduce mapped hazard. Staff said property owners in the very high severity zone are subject to annual inspection and potential abatement notices for vegetation management and defensible‑space standards.

Councilmembers asked for data on the percentage of city parcels now classified as very high; staff agreed to provide follow‑up figures. Councilmember Dan Brotman asked about community education and communications; staff said the city will use its web pages, social media and grant funding (as available) to expand outreach and ensure property owners understand inspection, abatement and compliance expectations. The ordinance was introduced for adoption at a future hearing.