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Lincoln Council adopts state-mandated fire hazard severity maps after debate over accuracy
Summary
The Lincoln City Council voted unanimously to adopt California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) fire hazard severity zone maps after staff warned state law gives limited options for local change and council members pushed for clearer wording in the ordinance.
The Lincoln City Council on a unanimous vote adopted an ordinance designating fire hazard severity zones in the city in accordance with maps from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Deputy Fire Chief Anthony Mejia told the council the maps—based on fuel loading, topography and fire behavior modeling—identify moderate and high hazard areas and that state law (Government Code section 51178 and related provisions) requires local agencies to adopt the maps within 120 days of receipt. Mejia said the maps measure ‘‘fire hazard, not fire risk’’ and that they do not incorporate local mitigation such as defensible-space work on individual properties.
The maps, Mejia said, expand state attention beyond very-high zones to include moderate and high categories and could affect local…
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