San Clemente opens public review of new Cal Fire hazard maps; city schedules adoption hearings in May and June

San Clemente officials opened a public review period on updated California Office of the State Fire Marshal hazard maps and told residents the city will seek formal adoption later in May or June.

City Community Development Director Adam Matamian said the state released the recommended 2025 Local Responsibility Area (LRA) fire hazard severity zone maps on March 24. The city opened a public comment period the same day and will keep it open through May 8 to allow residents and stakeholders time to review and submit comments, Matamian said.

“Local agencies are required to make these maps publicly accessible within 30 days of their release,” Matamian said. He told the council staff is targeting May 20 and June 3 for formal City Council consideration to remain in compliance with state law.

The new maps identify areas of moderate, high and very high fire hazard and are used to inform building standards, defensible-space requirements and emergency-response planning. City staff noted the new coverage is substantially larger than the previous map in many parts of San Clemente; a few areas saw reductions.

“Overall, it’s an increase into the areas that are covered by these maps,” Matamian said, adding the city has posted links to the Cal Fire interactive before-and-after map, which helps residents compare old and new boundaries.

Why it matters

Officials and fire leaders said the updated maps could increase the number of properties subject to inspections and defensible-space requirements and that many residents have already reported insurance impacts.

Chief Moll of the Orange County Fire Authority, who briefed the council alongside city staff, said the state methodology measures long-term hazard over a 50-year period and therefore does not weigh short-term mitigation such as recent brush-clearance, goat grazing projects or other local fuel-reduction work.

“Hazard is based on physical conditions expected to create fire behavior over a 50-year period without considering short-term modifications,” Chief Moll said. “Those short-term things are very good — harden your home, do defensible space — but these maps are kind of what they are.”

What the city is doing

Matamian told the council the city has posted guidance and contact information for comment on the municipal website and will accept public input through May 8. Staff said the city will provide a staff report and bring an adoption ordinance to the council at the May 20 and June 3 meetings.

City staff also said the city has applied for a US Forest Service Community Wildfire Defense Grant that would fund a community wildfire protection plan, a proposal they estimate could qualify for about $230,000 to support periodic mitigation and help neighborhoods pursue Firewise status.

“If the community chooses to go through that process, it could help neighborhoods become Firewise communities,” Matamian said.

Insurance and inspections

Council members raised questions about insurance impacts. Chief Moll and other speakers said insurance companies generally rely on separate risk assessments and underwriting models rather than the state’s hazard map, although being in a very high fire hazard severity zone increases the inspector workload for the OCFA.

“If you fall into the very high fire hazard severity zone, that means every year we inspect your property,” Chief Moll said. “It’s to keep your home safe.” OCFA will continue to perform property inspections but noted the number of homes subject to annual inspection will grow under the new map.

What residents can do

Council members and staff urged residents to submit comments to Cal Fire and the city during the public review period, to harden homes, maintain defensible space and participate in neighborhood mitigation efforts. Officials also encouraged residents to consider the Firewise program and other local mitigation options that can help demonstrate reduced local risk to insurers.

Proposed next steps

Staff will finalize a report for the council and present ordinance language at the May 20 meeting with a second reading/action expected June 3 if the council chooses to adopt the state maps. The city will also publish resources and a how-to guide for submitting comments on the Cal Fire web tool.