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State remap expands Yucaipa wildfire hazard zones; council to adopt updated maps and standards
Summary
Cal Fire’s updated wildfire hazard modeling expanded mapped hazard areas within Yucaipa; city staff told council that the city must adopt new zone maps and implement Wildland‑Urban Interface building standards within the state’s timetable.
Cal Fire’s revised wildfire hazard modeling released in late March more than doubled acreage designated in some hazard categories inside Yucaipa city limits, the city’s fire chief told the council on April 14.
Why it matters: The revised maps expand areas identified as very high, high and moderate fire hazard severity zones inside the city. Under state law, those designations carry regulatory consequences: property disclosure requirements, potential building‑code requirements under the Wildland‑Urban Interface (WUI) provisions, and other measures that can affect homeowners, developers and insurers.
What the chief said: Fire Chief Michael Malinowski (Chief Malinowski) said the new maps increase overall mapped acreage and that the city will be required to adopt the updated zones and add WUI standards to the local code. Chief Malinowski summarized the change this way: “We were... 6,679 acres of very high fire hazard severity zone prior to this. This will increase it to, with all zones, 11,898 for a 78% increase.” He explained that the mapping is model‑driven and that the updated maps were released March 24.
Impacts and next steps: Staff told council the new designations may trigger disclosures in real estate transactions and additional building‑code requirements in newly designated zones. The city must complete ordinance actions and adopt the maps in the coming months; staff said council will see the formal adoption item as required and provided general public outreach to inform residents. Chief Malinowski also noted that enforcement and compliance for some WUI measures may become relevant at property sale or permit time, and that state law brings new requirements without dedicated state funding for enforcement.
Ending: Staff will return to council with official hearings and proposed ordinance language within the state’s mandated timeframe; the chief urged outreach so property owners can understand any disclosure or retrofit requirements that could affect insurance or renovation plans.
