The newly released Cal Fire 2025 Recommended Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps show the Santa Clarita Valley has increased in areas deemed to be Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.

The maps are important to homeowners and businesses because they are used for several purposes including to designate areas where
California’s defensible space standards and wildland urban interface building codes are required. They can be a factor in real estate disclosure, for insurance premiums and local governments may consider the maps in their general plan.

Beginning in February 2025, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Office of the State Fire Marshal, initiated the roll out of its 2025 Recommended Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps throughout the State of California.

Typically updated every ten years, the 2025 maps classify lands within local jurisdictions as moderate, high, or very high fire hazard severity zones using the latest data on fuels, fire history, weather, terrain and other relevant factors.

Los Angeles County LRA 2025 FHSZ map updates and local adoption process:

The map for Los Angeles County was released on Monday, March 24. Under Government Code Section 51179(b)(3), a local agency shall not decrease the level of the Fire Hazard Severity Zone recommended by the Office of the State Fire Marshal. However, a local agency may increase the hazard level or make additions beyond what the State has recommended.

At this time, the county of Los Angeles Fire Department is not proposing any additions or increases to the Office of the State Fire Marshal recommended Fire Hazard Severity Zone boundaries during this adoption cycle. However, the LACoFD estimates an increase in the number of parcels that will be affected by the newly issued Fire Hazard Severity Zone map updates. These changes may influence building and vegetation management requirements for properties located within newly classified fire hazard zones.

State law requires Los Angeles County to adopt the recommended maps by ordinance within 120 days of their issuance. Public hearings for the adoption ordinance will be held in compliance with this mandate. Meeting details, including location and schedule, will be announced in advance and will comply with all applicable public noticing requirements.

Public comment period and how to participate:

Cal Fire, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and LACoFD encourage residents to review and comment on the proposed Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps.

To access the maps, submit public comment and attend public hearings, please see below:

Visit the CAL FIRE website to review the 2025 Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps.

Monitor the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors website and LACoFD website for instructions on how to provide public comment.

Public hearings will be scheduled in Los Angeles County to allow for in-person and virtual feedback. Dates, times, and locations will be posted online and in compliance with Los Angeles County notification requirements.

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Why the Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps matter:

The Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps are used to inform land-use decisions, building standards and wildfire mitigation practices. Properties identified within high or very high zones may be subject to California Building Code Chapter 7A and defensible space requirements pursuant to Public Resources Code 4291.

For additional information, please visit:

CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone Program

Frequently asked questions

2025 Map and 2007-2011 Map Comparison

For the Santa Clarita Valley the 2025 map just released shows expanded areas of Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Red denotes Very High danter, orange is high and yellow is moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zones.

The 2007-2011 Fire Hazard Severity Zones in Local Responsibility Area map, as Recommended by the State Fire Marshal.