Hayward council adopts Cal Fire Local Responsibility Area hazard map and moves to step up public outreach

Hayward City Council on May 27 adopted the state’s Local Responsibility Area (LRA) fire hazard severity zone map and introduced a municipal-code amendment to add fire-hazard zones to the Hayward Municipal Code. The motion, moved by Council Member Bonilla and seconded by Council Member Andrews, passed by a recorded tally of 7-0.

Deputy Chief Hamron summarized the background: after the 1991 Tunnel Fire and subsequent statewide fire activity, California’s mapping program identifies areas of high and moderate hazard by combining fuels, topography and climate data. Hamron emphasized the map is a hazard assessment, not an insurance risk assessment, saying the map “does not go into any of the risk management that’s been done by the community or the homes or the fire department,” and noted it “is not used by the insurance industry.” The state’s new map includes a time-limited posting period and gives local agencies the option to adopt the map as issued or to advocate for adjustments.

What the adoption means in practice: staff said the action will be used as one data point to guide outreach and inspection priorities. Hamron and other staff described steps for the coming season: annual inspections for properties in the high-hazard footprint east of Mission and south of D Street, an active weed-abatement and chipping program, and outreach to encourage home-hardening measures and defensible-space practices. Hamron said many mitigation steps are actions homeowners can take and highlighted the city’s continuing public-education role.

Council discussion and next steps: council members asked about community education, collaboration with Clean and Green and CERT programs, and coordination with schools and neighboring districts. Staff said they will continue inspections, vegetation management, and community outreach and will incorporate lessons from recent catastrophic fires. The ordinance amendment (agenda item LB25-017) was introduced and advanced by council action at the meeting; staff will implement the inspection and outreach steps ahead of peak fire season.

Action: Moved by Council Member Bonilla and seconded by Council Member Andrews, the council approved adoption of the Local Responsibility Area fire hazard severity zone map and introduced an ordinance amending the Hayward Municipal Code to add Article 16 to Chapter 3 related to fire hazard severity zones. The clerk recorded the item as passing 7-0.