Updated Cal Fire Hazard Maps Reveal High-Risk Zones in L.A. County
The newly released interactive maps categorize fire hazard zones into three levels: Moderate, High, and Very High. These classifications draw from both science-based and field-based testing models, taking into account natural topography, past fire history, vegetation, and wind patterns.Cal Fire explains these maps function similarly to flood zone maps, "where lands are described in terms of the probability level of a particular area being inundated by floodwaters, and not specifically prescriptive of impacts." The maps assess physical conditions to highlight wildfire probability rather than indicate potential fire impacts. They don't factor in mitigation measures such as home hardening or fuel reduction efforts.These updated hazard zones are part of Cal Fire's "Phase 4" recommendations, focusing on fire severity across Southern California, including L.A. County. Significant portions of L.A., particularly in the foothills and canyon regions, have been designated as Very High Hazard Zones, marked in red on the updated maps.
According to ABC News, "very high fire hazard" zones in Southern California have expanded by 26% since 2011, increasing from 646,838 acres to 817,212 acres. State Fire Marshall Daniel Berlant told CalMatters that climate change, improved data models, and state legislation updates likely contributed to this increase.The release of these updated maps comes just one week before the March 31 deadline for homeowners affected by January's wildfires to opt into a federal debris removal program. Homeowners need to sign up by this deadline to speed up recovery efforts.L.A. residents can check their neighborhood's fire hazard designation by reviewing Cal Fire's interactive map below or by clicking here.
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