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Millbrae adopts state-designated local responsibility area fire-hazard zones; two council members recuse
Summary
The Millbrae City Council on May 13 introduced and waived first reading of an ordinance adopting fire-hazard severity zones designated by the State Fire Marshal for Local Responsibility Areas inside the city, with the measure passing 3-0 while Mayor Mark Fung and Council member Nguyen recused themselves because they live in affected areas.
The Millbrae City Council on May 13 introduced an ordinance adopting Local Responsibility Area (LRA) fire hazard severity zones designated by the State Fire Marshal and waived the ordinances first reading. The motion passed 3 yes, 0 no, 2 abstentions/recusals: Mayor Mark Fung and Council member Nguyen recused themselves because they said they own property inside mapped zones.
Deputy Chief Jonathan Cox of Central County Fire Department (CCFD) presented the state mapping, which uses a five-step modeling approach by CAL FIRE/state fire marshal that accounts for wildland-urban delineation, burn probability, flame length, firebrand production and buffers. Cox said the 2025 maps differ from the 2008 maps by adding very high, high and moderate designations within city limits; these new LRA zones carry requirements tied to the California Fire Code and Title 14 planning steps.
Cox summarized implications: properties designated very high may face Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) code elements such as defensible-space and building-code requirements including Chapter 7A materials for exterior construction, inspection and disclosure requirements for real-estate transactions, and safety-element and subdivision review changes. He noted the statewide defensible-space regulations are being updated and that the new standards were expected by December; properties in very high zones will be subject to updated defensible-space rules when adopted.
The council opened the matter as a public hearing. Public commenters raised questions about map inputs such as dominant wind direction, communications and notifications from SFPUC and CAL FIRE about prescribed burns, and whether private property patterns (close-set homes and rental/absentee ownership) make compliance difficult. Deputy Chief Cox said CCFD plans public outreach and education and that state mapping is intended for planning rather than insurance underwriting.
After public comment the council closed the hearing and voted 3-0 to introduce the ordinance and waive first reading; Fung and Nguyen were recused and did not vote. Staff and CCFD said next steps include adopting the ordinance, filing it with the State Board of Forestry and starting local outreach and education about defensible-space and inspection requirements.
