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Aliso Viejo council moves to adopt Cal Fire’s updated fire-hazard map and local ordinance
Summary
Council introduced an ordinance adopting Cal Fire’s updated fire severity map (adding 'high' and 'moderate' zones) as required by state law; staff and the fire chief said the map must be adopted within 120 days and recommended outreach on home-hardening and resilience options.
The Aliso Viejo City Council voted to introduce an ordinance adopting the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s (Cal Fire) updated fire hazard severity zone map, which adds separate high and moderate hazard categories in addition to the city’s existing very-high zone.
Community Development Director So Kim explained that state law requires cities to adopt the Cal Fire–recommended map within 120 days of receipt; the city received the recommendations on March 24 and faces a statutory deadline later this summer. Kim said the new map’s very-high areas are largely unchanged but that the state expanded the mapped area by adding high and moderate categories reflected in orange and yellow.
Fire Chief Mike Summers and staff answered council questions about local consequences. Councilmembers raised concerns about insurance impacts for residents in newly mapped areas and asked what homeowners can do to reduce their risk. Staff emphasized that the city can adopt the state map as recommended or expand it but cannot reduce mapped areas; residents can improve property resilience and should consult fire-department guidance and city resources.
Council moved and approved the introduction/adoption as recommended by Cal Fire. Staff said the action meets the minimum state requirement and that the city will provide public information about property-level mitigation and available resources.
