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Brea introduces and adopts updated Cal Fire LRA fire‑severity maps; public comment window open
Summary
The city introduced and approved adoption of Cal Fire's updated Local Responsibility Area (LRA) fire severity zone maps; staff said the maps must be adopted and noted a public comment period through April 30 before the maps take effect in June.
The City Council received a presentation on updated Cal Fire Local Responsibility Area (LRA) fire hazard severity maps and adopted the LRA maps for the city.
The Fire Department presenter (identified in the record as Nicole) said the council will be asked to adopt the updated LRA maps prepared by Cal Fire, which identify moderate, high and very high fire‑severity zones. The presenter clarified the staff recommendation: the council would adopt only the LRA maps at this hearing and defer any additional defensible‑space code amendments to a later code‑adoption process to avoid enforcement conflicts this season. The presenter cited state authorities in the course of the explanation (as recorded in the transcript: "government code 5.117850.1179").
The presenter explained how the maps will be used locally: building and subdivision reviews will apply Chapter 7A building standards and fire‑safe regulations in high and very high zones, AB 38 escrow inspection disclosures apply to homes built before 2008, and defensible‑space and brush‑clearance requirements will be enforced consistent with the adopted map. The presenter told the council the maps were posted March 24, the public comment period runs through April 30, and staff will accept written comments for consideration before final adoption (the presenter said the maps would be effective in June if adopted). Staff also noted that local modification can only make maps more restrictive (i.e., stricter) and may not narrow a state‑designated severity zone.
Council members asked clarifying questions about AB 38 inspections (disclosure versus mandatory retrofit), the potential reach of forthcoming "Zone 0" enforcement details from the Board of Forestry, and how hydrant locations relate to the maps (staff said hydrants would not change map designations). The council voted 5‑0 to adopt the LRA maps as presented.
