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Council moves to adopt state wildfire maps into municipal code, asks city attorney to draft ordinance
Summary
After questioning from council members, the council approved an amendment directing the city attorney, in collaboration with the Los Angeles Fire Department and CAL FIRE, to draft an ordinance to adopt the state's wildfire hazard map and incorporate it into Los Angeles Municipal Code Chapter 5, Article 7.
The Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday voted to direct the city attorney, working with the Los Angeles Fire Department and CAL FIRE, to draft an ordinance formally adopting the state's wildfire hazard map and to incorporate necessary provisions into Los Angeles Municipal Code Chapter 5, Article 7.
Councilmember Eunisses Lee called the item for questions and a possible amendment and asked Captain Thieffel of the Fire Department whether state law requires the city to expand zones to align with CAL FIRE hazard maps. The captain confirmed the state approved the map on March 24 and that the city had to adopt the map by ordinance within 120 days.
Lee moved to amend the recommendation to request that the city attorney, in collaboration with the Los Angeles Fire Department and CAL FIRE, draft a formal ordinance to adopt those changes and future updates. The amendment was seconded and the council adopted the amendment and then the item by unanimous vote (15 ayes).
Captain Thieffel told the council staff were working with GIS and City Planning, and that a solid map to roll out to the Board of Fire Commissioners and then the council was expected within about two weeks.
The amendment as adopted asks the city attorney to prepare ordinance language incorporating the state map and related provisions into Los Angeles Municipal Code Chapter 5, Article 7. The vote recorded was 15‑0.
Council discussion focused on ensuring legal compliance with state wildfire protection requirements and on the timeline for formal adoption.
Speakers during the item included Councilmember Lee and Captain Thieffel of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
