CAL FIRE to Release 2025 Fire Hazard Severity Maps

CAL FIRE to Release 2025 Fire Hazard Severity Maps

SONOMA COUNTY, CA – CAL FIRE has notified local government fire and planning departments about the potential release of the 2025 Local Responsibility Area (LRA) Fire Hazard Severity Maps. While the exact release date is yet to be determined, CAL FIRE issued written notice to agencies in December 2024.

Sonoma County adopted the Sonoma County Fire Safety Ordinance #6396 in 2022, which references development regulations in both the State Responsibility Area (SRA) and LRA Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFSZ). CAL FIRE, in coordination with the Office of the State Fire Marshal, is mandated under Title 14 of the Natural Resources Code to periodically update these maps and severity zones. As part of this process, CAL FIRE is required to notify local governments before releasing updated severity zone maps for both the SRA and LRA.

Local governments must adopt these maps when changes affect areas designated as LRA VHFSZ. Under an agreement with CAL FIRE, Sonoma County serves as the inspection authority and enforces fire safety requirements outlined in Section 13-21 of the county code and Title 14 of the Natural Resources Code. The Fire Safety Ordinance acknowledges these minimum fire safety standards for the LRA and the county will assist with public outreach and development standards related to LRA VHFSZ areas.

Adoption and Implementation

According to the county code, the updated maps will automatically become official 120 days after their release by CAL FIRE. Per the Fire Safety Ordinance and Title 14 of the Natural Resources Code, the updated regulations will apply to unincorporated areas of Sonoma County within the designated VHFSZ, regardless of local fire jurisdiction.

For More Information:

Information Sheet

LRA Legislation Factsheet - Flipbook combined - Flipbook - Page 1

Offical Online Map

Fire Hazard Severity Zone Viewer

Division page

Community Wildfire Preparedness and Mitigation | OSFM

Contact:

Steve Mosiurchak
County of Sonoma, Fire Marshal
steve.mosiurchak@sonoma-county.org