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La Habra adopts first reading to designate fire-hazard severity zones following CAL FIRE maps
Summary
Following release of CAL FIRE's 2025 maps, the council unanimously approved on first reading an ordinance designating fire hazard severity zones in La Habra, identifying portions of North Hills and the city's southern border adjacent to West Coyote Hills as higher-risk areas.
The La Habra City Council voted unanimously July 21 to approve on first reading an ordinance designating fire hazard severity zones in the city based on the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's (CAL FIRE) 2025 maps.
A city staff member reported that CAL FIRE and the State Fire Marshal updated fire-hazard severity zone maps for local responsibility areas and that state law (Assembly Bill 211) requires local governments to adopt the maps by ordinance. "The purpose of the update is to not only more accurately identify areas at higher risk of wildfire exposure, but to better inform local land use planning, emergency response, and building standards," staff said.
Staff identified two areas within La Habra that were mapped as moderate, high or very high risk: a portion of the northeast section known as North Hills, and a portion along the southern border adjacent to the West Coyote Hills in Fullerton. Staff said these were the same general areas previously identified on 2011 maps, though the 2025 mapping uses a finer delineation among moderate, high and very high categories.
The city conducted a public review period from April 23 through July 11 and posted materials and links to CAL FIRE resources; staff reported no comments were received. Battalion Chief Dave Christian of Los Angeles County Fire was introduced by staff and was present for general fire-related questions.
With no public speakers on the item, a council member moved to approve and adopt the first reading of the ordinance; the motion passed unanimously. Staff said there is no direct physical impact associated with adopting the updated maps and noted state law allows local governments to be more stringent but not to reduce hazard designations assigned by the State Fire Marshal.
Council action designates the severity zones locally in accordance with AB 211 and is intended to inform future planning, emergency response, and building standards.
