Solvang staff outlines new CAL FIRE severity map, next steps for building rules and defensible space

City staff presented updated CAL FIRE fire severity maps for Solvang at the Planning Commission meeting on May 5, explaining how the maps differ from the city27s 2016 hazard mapping and outlining next steps including property-disclosure requirements, new building-code provisions and potential municipal-code changes to require defensible space.

The presentation, given by the Planning Manager, said CAL FIRE and the Department of Forestry used fire probability, past fire history, terrain, proximity to wildland and potential ember patterns to redraw hazard zones and for the first time identified a small area near the city27s southern edge by Alisal Ranch as "very high" severity. "What is a fire severity zone? It basically evaluates hazards, not necessarily risks," the Planning Manager said.

The maps are tied to statewide policy and deadlines. The Planning Manager told the commission that Senate Bill 63 requires municipalities to adopt a fire severity map and that "we are required by California government code section 51179 to adopt…