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Torrance Fire Department outlines steps after CAL FIRE issues 2025 LRA hazard zone maps
Summary
The Torrance Fire Department briefed council on CAL FIRE’s recommended 2025 Local Responsibility Area (LRA) Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps and outlined required public‑review and ordinance adoption deadlines and forthcoming community outreach.
Torrance Fire Chief David Dume told the council that the California Office of the State Fire Marshal released its 2025 recommended Local Responsibility Area (LRA) Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps and that parts of Torrance are affected, triggering a state‑mandated local process.
Chief Dume said the maps—which are based on wildfire history, fuels and other science‑driven inputs—are available at OSFM.fire.ca.gov for public review. He told the council the city must publish the updated LRA maps for public review within 30 days of issuance (April 20, 2025) and must formally adopt the maps through an ordinance process within 120 days (July 22, 2025). The department anticipates future building and vegetation management requirements for parcels newly designated in higher hazard categories, and it plans targeted outreach for affected neighborhoods.
To support community understanding, Dume said the department will maintain a Torrance Fire webpage, post on social media, and schedule in‑person and virtual public hearings in accordance with legal notification requirements. He named the California Building Code Chapter 7A and Public Resources Code 4291 (defensible space requirements) as statutory contexts property owners may need to meet following map adoption.
Chief Dume acknowledged the process is state‑mandated and described the city’s role as ensuring transparency, public access and compliance with required steps. The Fire Department said it will coordinate internal and public planning and provide resources for property owners who may be newly subject to defensible‑space or building‑construction standards.
No council vote was required; staff said the next steps are outreach and scheduling public hearings to meet the state timeline.
“Public hearings will also be scheduled to meet all legal notification and participation requirements,” Dume said; “our goal is to ensure that property owners are fully informed, especially those who may now be subject to the California Building Code Chapter 7A and defensible space requirements under Public Resources Code 4291.”
