More than 3.5 million additional acres across Southern California, including Los Angeles County, have been designated as fire hazard zones under updated maps released on Monday by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).
The maps, which represent the most significant update in more than a decade, expand “very high” fire hazard zones by 35 percent across local fire jurisdictions, increasing from 860,000 acres to almost 1.2 million, according to the Los Angeles Times . These zones require stricter building codes, defensible space mandates and disclosure requirements during real estate sales.
Why It Matters
Hazard severity zone maps are critical in California law, being cited in more than 50 sections. Properties in “high” and “very high” zones must adhere to fire-safe construction rules, such as installing multi-pane windows and ember-resistant vents, the Los Angeles Times reported. Homeowners in “very high” zones must also maintain defensible space and disclose the designation during property sales.
The maps seek to guide fire mitigation strategies in areas most at risk . However, analysis from CalMatters shows that the expansion also means that almost 1 in 10 Californians now live in zones where these rules apply, affecting home design, insurance availability and property values…