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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Los Angeles County, CA – Beginning this past February, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), initiated the roll out of its 2025 Recommended Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) maps for Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) throughout the State of California. Typically updated every ten years, the 2025 LRA FHSZ 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:
On March 24, 2025, the OSFM issued the 2025 Recommended LRA FHSZ maps for Los Angeles County. Under Government Code Section 51179(b)(3), a local agency shall not decrease the level of the LRA FHSZ recommended by the OSFM. However, a local agency may increase the hazard level or make additions beyond what the State has recommended.
The County of Los Angeles Fire Department (LACoFD) is not proposing any additions or increases to the OSFM-recommended LRA FHSZ boundaries during this adoption cycle. However, the LACoFD estimates an increase in the number of parcels that will be inspected by the newly issued LRA FHSZ map updates. These changes may influence building and vegetation management requirements for properties located within newly classified fire hazard severity 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.
Public comment period and public hearing:
CAL FIRE, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, and LACoFD encourage residents to review and comment on the proposed LRA FHSZ maps. To access the maps, submit public comment, and participate in the public hearing, please see below:
- Visit the CAL FIRE website to review the 2025 LRA FHSZ maps.
- Monitor the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors website and LACoFD website for instructions on how to provide public comment.
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The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will be holding a public hearing meeting on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. To listen by telephone, call (877) 873-8017, and enter the access code for English: 111111. To view via the web, click here.
Why the LRA FHSZ maps matter:
The LRA FHSZ maps are used to inform land-use decisions, building standards, and wildfire mitigation practices. Properties identified within the 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
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