County fire official briefs council on new state LRA hazard severity maps and local implications

Santa Clara County Assistant Chief Hector Hector Estrada told the Cupertino City Council on April 15 that newly released state maps identifying fire hazard in Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) expand the area shown as moderate, high and very high fire hazard and carry implications for building standards, insurance and property disclosures.

"The LRA, for those who don't know, is the local responsibility areas," Estrada said, explaining the difference between local and State Responsibility Areas and why CAL FIRE and the State Fire Marshal model and map those zones. "The adoption deadlineputs us at 06/24/2025," he added, referring to the 120-day local-adoption window that follows the maps'February release.

Estrada said the updated mapping uses new vegetation data, updated modeling and other technical changes since the city's 2007 base map. He described the maps as a static assessment of hazard "based on conditions" rather than a short-term insurance risk calculation, and emphasized that hazard maps are intended to identify where fire behavior could be most severe absent mitigation.

Why it matters: the maps are tied to state and local building measures. Where parcels fall into the very high or high hazard categories, Estrada said, state law and the State Fire Marshal's methodology can trigger changes to building standards, defensible-space inspections, ignition-resistant construction requirements and real-estate disclosures at point of sale. He urged neighborhoods to organize around Firewise programs and noted low-cost retrofits and phased approaches are being discussed for existing homes.

Estrada summarized the regulatory history that led to the current maps, citing the state response to major wildfires and subsequent laws and modeling. He referenced AB 38 after the Oakland Hills fire and more recent requirements tied to the CZU Lightning Complex and legislation in 2021and 2022 that required CAL FIRE to produce comprehensive LRA maps and for local governments to adopt them.

On next steps he said staff will coordinate with CAL FIRE and that the city has time to review the new maps before a local ordinance adoption deadline in late June. Estrada said adjustments are possible but must be supported by significant technical justification and by working with CAL FIRE.

Council response and public process: the council limited questions during the presentation to brief clarifying items and asked staff to post the presentation and any updated FAQs online. Estrada said he would provide links and an updated FAQ for staff to publish.

What the maps do and do not do: Estrada emphasized that the hazard maps are built on 30- to 50-year conditions and do not account for individual mitigation measures. He distinguished hazard (what the map identifies) from risk (what insurers and homeowners can change through defensible space or home hardening), and he repeatedly urged residents to consult the county and Department of Insurance resources he cited.

Ending: Estrada recommended that neighbors form or join Firewise communities and said county staff would remain available to answer questions as the city and public review the technical materials.