Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) Updates

The recent updates to Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) in California provide a more precise assessment of wildfire risks using modern climate data and advanced fire modeling. These updates impact the Local Responsibility Areas (LRA), influencing fire prevention measures, including defensible space, building codes, and real estate disclosure requirements.

Local Responsibility Area (LRA) – 2025 FHSZ Updates

California Government Code 51178 stipulates that “The State Fire Marshal shall identify areas in the state as moderate, high, and very high fire hazard severity zones based on consistent statewide criteria and based on the severity of fire hazard that is expected to prevail in those areas. Moderate, high, and very high fire hazard severity zones shall be based on fuel loading, slope, fire weather, and other relevant factors including areas where winds have been identified by the Office of the State Fire Marshal as a major cause of wildfire spread.”  

On March 24, 2025, the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) issued the 2025 Recommended Local Responsibility Area (LRA) FHSZ maps for Los Angeles County. View the 2025 OSFM Recommended LRA map for Culver City(PDF, 468KB). For comparison, view the previous Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) map adopted by the City in 2012 (please note: only Very High FHSZs were required at the time). Lastly, view the Culver City Fire Department 2025 recommended FHSZ map which maintains the Very High FHSZs within the City. 

LRA 2025 FHSZ Map Changes

According to Government Code Section 51179 (b)(3):

  • Local agencies shall not decrease the FHSZ level recommended by OSFM.
  • Local agencies may add to or increase the recommended FHSZ level.  At this time, the Culver City Fire Department is recommending keeping the Very High boundaries from the previous FHSZ map, which would primarily affect the Blair Hills neighborhood. View the Culver City Fire Department 2025 Recommended FHSZ Map

 

2025 LRA FHSZ Adoption

Per state law, Culver City Fire Department must adopt the OSFM-recommended LRA FHSZ maps by ordinance within 120 days of their release. A new ordinance will be presented to City Council on Monday, June 23, 2025. 

Key Takeaways

FHSZ Classification

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) fire scientists, and wildfire mitigation experts, developed the map using a science-based and field-tested model that assigns a hazard score based on the factors that influence fire likelihood and fire behavior. Many factors are considered, such as fire history, existing and potential fuel (e.g., natural vegetation), predicted flame length, blowing embers, terrain, and typical fire weather for an area. These zones fall into the following classifications – moderate, high, and very high. 

Fire Hazard Versus Fire Risk

FHSZ maps identify the hazard potential, not the immediate risk. They do not factor in mitigation efforts such as defensible space, fire-resistant construction, or local firefighting capabilities.

Impact on Property Owners

Homeowners in the Very High FHSZ must:

  • Maintain 100 feet of defensible space around structures.
  • Comply with home hardening requirements to reduce ignition risks.  In Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) areas, home hardening involves making homes more resistant to wildfires by using ignition-resistant materials, creating defensible space, and addressing potential ember ignition points.  
  • Ensure new construction and renovations adhere to Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) building codes.
  • Disclose FHSZ designation when selling property.

Homeowners in High FHSZ must:

  • Comply with home hardening requirements to reduce ignition risks.  In Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) areas, home hardening involves making homes more resistant to wildfires by using ignition-resistant materials, creating defensible space, and addressing potential ember ignition points.  
  • Ensure new construction and renovations adhere to Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) building codes.
  • Disclose FHSZ designation when selling property.

Insurance

Insurance companies use risk models, which differ from hazard models, because they consider the susceptibility of a structure to damage from fire and other short-term factors that are not included in hazard modeling.  Insurance risk models incorporate additional factors that change more frequently than those that CAL FIRE includes in its hazard mapping, which is built to remain steady.  CAL FIRE’s maps are intended to drive local planning decisions, not insurance decisions.

Legislative History

Assembly Bill 337 (1992) – Originally mandated the identification of Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones following destructive wildfires.  

Senate Bill 63 (2021) – Expanded fire hazard oversight to include Moderate and High zones in addition to Very High FHSZ classifications.

Assembly Bill 211 (2022) – Requires local agencies to adopt Moderate, High, and Very High FHSZ designations within 120 days of OSFM recommendations. Local governments cannot downgrade state-designated hazard levels but may increase them if justified.

Public Comment

Submit public comments or questions online, or mail to:
Culver City Fire Department - Office of the Fire Marshal
Attn: FHSZ Comment
9770 Culver Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232

Additional Resources

California Fire Hazard Severity Zone Website
CalFire LRA and FHSZ Fact Sheet and FAQs
California Department of Insurance: Fire Hazard Severity Zones and Insurance Impacts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to top