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Redding council adopts state fire-hazard severity map; some properties reclassified
Summary
The City of Redding adopted an uncodified ordinance that aligns local maps with the State of California's fire-hazard severity classifications; the update removes about 4,800 homes from the very-high zone and adds roughly 1,200 properties.
The Redding City Council voted unanimously to adopt an uncodified ordinance aligning the city's maps with the State of California's fire hazard severity zone classifications. Chief Robert Van Landingham delivered the staff report and the council approved first reading and adoption by roll call.
Chief Van Landingham told the council the state now requires local jurisdictions to adopt all three classes (moderate, high and very high) and to post maps for public comment within 30 days, adopt an ordinance within 120 days, and submit the ordinance to the state within 30 days of adoption. "These hazard maps are different than risk maps," Van Landingham said, explaining that hazard maps model physical conditions that influence expected fire behavior over 30 to 50 years and do not account for local mitigation such as recent fuel reduction or home hardening.
According to the chief's presentation, the city's updated map removed approximately 4,800 homes from the "very high" threat zone and added about 1,200 properties. Areas newly listed in the very-high zone include corridors from the northern to western portions of the city: Lake Boulevard between Court Hill and Santa Rosa Way; the Manzanita area between Foothill and Shasta Street; the Placer Road corridor around Mary's Lake; and outlying roads including Cedars Road, Clear Creek Road, East Side Road north of Metz, and Mountain Lakes to George Drive.
Van Landingham also told the public that insurance companies use their own risk maps and that the state hazard map itself does not directly determine homeowners' insurance availability. The maps were posted for public comment; staff said they have responded to comments submitted through the city portal.
The council passed the ordinance by roll call vote; all members recorded yes. The ordinance adopts the state-produced fire hazard severity zones for local application as provided in the staff report.
The council directed staff to file the adopted ordinance with the state as required by the relevant government-code timeline.
