Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wildfire Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Mayor urges local re-mapping after fire; council to consult fire warden on WUI map
Summary
Following recent wildfires, the mayor suggested Eureka redraw its local Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) map — the state map shows fuels that have since burned — and asked staff to meet with the fire warden and fire chief to update the municipal map, which could affect residents' insurance ratings.
Mayor Robert Jenkins told the council that while the city adopted WUI code earlier this year, staff had not completed a separate ordinance and map adoption. He said much of the red 'fuels' area on the current map has burned in recent fires, and so a local re-mapping could lower some risk categories inside municipal boundaries. "I think it would be in our best interest to revisit it," the mayor said, urging consultation with the fire warden and fire chief.
Council members generally supported revisiting the municipal map but raised practical questions about whether a local map that differs from the state's map would change insurance outcomes for homeowners. Staff noted they can adopt a local map for areas inside the municipal boundary while the state retains its broader map. Council asked staff to arrange a technical briefing with the fire warden and fire department to clarify what changes are warranted and the likely procedural and insurance implications.
