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OCFA: new CAL FIRE severity maps reduce 'very high' designations in Mission Viejo; town hall set for May 19
Summary
OCFA briefed the council on statewide fire-severity maps released March 24 and said Mission Viejo saw fewer structures in the 'very high' zone; the city will host a May 19 town hall with insurers, OCFA, the sheriff's department and legislators to discuss impacts.
OCFA Chief Shane Moll told the Mission Viejo City Council on March 25 that CAL FIRE released updated fire-hazard severity maps on March 24, 2025, and the local review shows a significant drop in structures categorized in the 'very high' hazard zone. "For instance, in the very high, in 2011, the number was 2,669 homes; it's now down to 1,543," Chief Moll said, noting the maps evaluate hazard (physical conditions) rather than short-term risk and are based on a statewide model informed by fuel loading, slope, weather and other factors.
Chief Moll and Assistant Fire Marshal Nick Pibberoff said the new maps carry regulatory implications under Government Code 51178 and Senate Bill 63 (2021), including changes to CEQA review, subdivision map act standards, hazard disclosures and new-building requirements depending on zones. The city announced an interactive web map and a May 19 town hall planned to include the insurance commissioner’s representative, OCFA, the sheriff’s department and the building industry to explain implications and homeowner protections.
