Kern County fire officials brief Taft on state fire‑hazard maps; council told adoption will trigger AB 38 disclosures and building changes

Kern County Fire officials told the Taft City Council in June 2025 that updated state fire‑hazard severity zone maps created by CAL FIRE must be adopted locally and will trigger real‑estate disclosures and building standards in some parts of the city.

The presentation, delivered by Kerry Wright of the Kern County Fire Department and Deputy Fire Marshal Sean Riley, explained that CAL FIRE used fire history, vegetation, terrain and weather data through 2020 to redraw hazard zones. Riley said the state issues the maps and local jurisdictions must adopt them under state law; some new requirements would apply immediately to sales and new construction in areas mapped as “high.”

Why it matters: Adoption will require sellers in newly designated high‑severity areas to provide the AB 38 hazard disclosure and could change building requirements for new construction in those zones. Council members asked how adoption might affect insurance rates, which properties will be subject to new building standards, and whether the city can challenge or amend the state maps.

Riley summarized how the maps are used. “The state actually creates the maps,” he told the council, adding that CAL FIRE’s models incorporate fire history through 2020 and factors such as predicted flame lengths and ember transport. He said the maps identify…