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Board introduces ordinance to adopt 2025 local-responsibility-area fire hazard severity map, schedules second reading
Summary
Supervisors voted to introduce an ordinance adopting Cal Fire's 2025 local responsibility area (LRA) fire hazard severity zones for unincorporated El Dorado County and scheduled final passage for June 24; the maps trigger new defensible-space and building-code requirements in very‑high areas.
The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to introduce an ordinance that would adopt the 2025 Local Responsibility Area (LRA) fire hazard severity zone map for the unincorporated county, triggering updated defensible-space, disclosure and building-code measures where the map designates very-high hazard.
The board's action Wednesday was a first reading and included a waiver of full text reading; final adoption (second reading) was continued to the board's June 24 meeting. Sue Hennecke, chief administrative officer, said the state requires Cal Fire to prepare the maps and local governments are required to adopt them for LRA lands. "Government requires CAL FIRE to classify and designate fire hazard severity zones," Hennecke explained during the presentation.
Why it matters: The LRA maps identify areas in unincorporated county that, based on fuels, topography and modeled ember production, are expected to experience higher fire intensity or ember exposure over a 30' to 50'year period. Adoption makes those areas subject to local defensible-space requirements and to chapter 7A-like building standards for very-high zones, and it requires real-estate disclosures in high and very-high zones.
What the county approved: The board approved the ordinance's introduction and direction to staff to return for final passage on June 24. The county and staff emphasized that the maps show hazard (the likelihood and intensity of fire) rather than risk to structures, and that local efforts such as community risk reduction, Firewise programs, and vegetative management affect risk even as the state-produced hazard maps remain in place. A battalion chief from CAL FIRE's Amador-El Dorado unit explained technical aspects of the maps, including how ember transport and localized fire weather drive the urban-interface designations.
Public reaction and next steps: Public commenters raised concerns about insurance impacts and the potential regulatory effects on development. Several speakers urged focus on forest and fuels management and encouraged the county's continued advocacy with state and federal agencies and the insurance commissioner's office. The board also noted coordination with local fire agencies; staff said cities and fire districts had been notified and that county staff will submit the maps to the Board of Forestry within the 30-day submittal period following adoption.
The ordinance was introduced as Ord. No. 52 31 and advanced on a 5'00 vote; the second reading and final adoption are scheduled for the June 24 board meeting.
