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Board adopts state’s very high fire hazard severity zones for local responsibility areas
Summary
The Board of Supervisors voted 4-0 to adopt maps designating very high fire hazard severity zones for the county’s local responsibility areas based on the state fire marshal’s guidance, a step staff said will help eastern Madera communities qualify for insurance and grant programs.
The Madera County Board of Supervisors on July 1 adopted an ordinance designating the very high fire hazard severity zones (VHFHSZ) for the county’s local responsibility areas, using maps provided by the state fire marshal.
Jamie Vax of the Community and Economic Development Department told the board the map from the state Fire Marshal was sent to the county this spring and that the designation itself does not immediately change local construction standards. Vax said adopting the state-identified zones is one of the requirements to be listed on the state’s fire risk reduction community list, which can help eastern Madera County communities with insurance access and eligibility for certain grants.
Assistant Chief Jess Smith Home from the county’s fire/EMS organization attended the hearing and was available to answer questions, staff said. After brief discussion and no public comment, board members moved and seconded the ordinance adoption and approved it by roll call vote, 4-0.
Board members and staff indicated the measure is largely administrative — aligning county code with the state’s hazard mapping — and said the designation will improve access to insurance and state and federal funding opportunities aimed at reducing wildfire risk in more vulnerable, higher-fire-risk areas of the county.
The clerk recorded yes votes from Supervisor McCauley, Supervisor Rogers, Supervisor Wam Hahn and Chair Gonzales.
