Costa Mesa council introduces ordinance mapping new fire-hazard zones and directs targeted outreach

The Costa Mesa City Council on Tuesday introduced for first reading an ordinance adopting local responsibility area (LRA) fire hazard severity maps transmitted by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), and directed staff to mail notices to properties identified in the new high and moderate zones.

The measure, introduced as required by state law, responds to updated Cal Fire modeling that classifies small areas along Fairview and Talbert canyons as high or moderate hazard. The council voted 7-0 to introduce the ordinance and to authorize targeted outreach to affected property owners, including a mailed notice describing current implications and voluntary home-hardening resources.

City staff said the Cal Fire maps identify a small high-hazard pocket south of Fairview Park that currently affects 40 parcels containing 292 structures, including one school and one place of worship, and a separate moderate area near Talbert that affects about 249 parcels and 401 structures. Assistant Fire Chief and Fire Marshal John Neal told the council the hazard…