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Consider introducing an ordinance as required by State law to adopt the updated 2025 Local Responsibility Area (LRA) Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) Map from the Office of the State Fire Marshal for the unincorporated areas of Solano County
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Resource Management recommends that the Board of Supervisors:
1) Read the proposed ordinance by title only and waive further reading by a majority vote; and
2) Introduce an ordinance as required by State law to adopt the updated 2025 Local Responsibility Area (LRA) Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) Map from the Office of the State Fire Marshal for the unincorporated areas of Solano County.
SUMMARY:
California law requires the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to develop Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) within both State Responsibility Areas (SRA) and Local Responsibility Areas (LRA). An SRA is where the State is financially responsible for wildland fire protection and prevention, whereas an LRA falls under local government responsibility. Pursuant to Government Code ?51178, the State Fire Marshal must identify areas within the SRA and LRA as moderate, high, or very high fire hazard severity zones based on consistent statewide criteria and identifying the severity of expected fire hazards. The updated 2025 LRA FHSZ map adds approximately 81,000 acres now designated as fire hazard areas within the unincorporated areas of Solano County. However, no significant impact on property insurance premiums is anticipated, as insurers primarily rely on alternative wildfire risk tools rather than FHSZ maps.
Government Code ?51179(a) requires that within 120 days of receiving the State Fire Marshal's recommendations, a local agency must adopt the updated LRA map by ordinance. Additionally, within 30 days of receiving the updated maps, the Cou...
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