Whittier Included in Phase 4 of State Fire Hazard Zone Rollout Starting March 24, 2025

The State Fire Marshal’s Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) Rollout Plan places the City of Whittier in Phase 4, which begins on March 24, 2025. On this date, Whittier received updated 2025 maps that focus on “hazard” levels instead of “risk.” These maps show areas that are categorized as Very High, High, or Moderate fire hazard zones. They use consistent standards across California and are based on how severe fire conditions are expected to be in those areas over time, as outlined in Government Code Section 51178.

To explain further:

• Hazard refers to the natural conditions—like vegetation, terrain, and weather—that affect how likely a wildfire is to occur and how it might behave over the next 30 to 50 years. This does not include actions taken to reduce fire danger, such as home upgrades or clearing brush.

• Risk, on the other hand, looks at how much damage a fire could cause right now. It includes current safety measures like fire-resistant construction, fuel reduction projects, and defensible space around homes.

These zones are determined by factors such as the amount of burnable vegetation, steepness of the land, typical fire weather patterns, and areas known to spread fire more easily due to wind. Updating these maps is part of California’s ongoing work to improve wildfire preparedness and protect communities like Whittier.

Public Comment and Local Map Adjustments for Fire Hazard Severity Zones

To submit a public comment, view hard copy maps, or request additional information, please contact the City of Whittier at ccd@cityofwhittier.org.

Under Government Code Section 51179(b)(1), the City of Whittier has the discretion to classify areas not originally identified as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZs) as Very High, if the City determines—based on solid evidence—that the requirements of Government Code Section 51182 (such as creating defensible space) are necessary for effective fire protection in that area.

Additionally:

• Section 51179(b)(2) allows the City to reclassify areas not designated as Moderate or High FHSZs into those categories, at its discretion.

• Section 51179(b)(3) states that the City cannot reduce the fire hazard severity level of any area. It may only raise the hazard level if necessary.

Lastly, under Section 51179(d), any changes the City of Whittier makes to the 2025 Local Responsibility Area (LRA) FHSZ maps provided by the State Fire Marshal are final and cannot be challenged by the State.

These provisions ensure that the City can take proactive steps to enhance wildfire safety while maintaining transparency and public involvement.

In Whittier, Local Responsibility Areas (LRAs) are places where local government is in charge of wildfire protection. Local governments in LRAs are responsible for making sure their communities are prepared for wildfires and have the necessary resources to respond to fire emergencies.

Public Review of Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps

In accordance with Government Code Section 51178.5, the City of Whittier is required to make the updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) information available for public review and comment within 30 days of receiving the official maps from the State Fire Marshal, as outlined in Government Code Section 51178.

To meet this requirement, the City must ensure that the information is presented in a way that is easy to understand and accessible to the general public, which includes providing visual materials such as maps.

Additionally, under Government Code Section 51179(g), the City must post a public notice at the City Clerk’s office stating where the map provided by the State Fire Marshal can be found.

To support this effort, the City has launched this webpage to make the FHSZ information available for public review and comment. Comments can be submitted to ccd@cityofwhittier.org

How the Updated CAL FIRE Maps Impact Insurance

The updated CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) maps are designed to guide local planning and fire prevention efforts, not to influence insurance decisions directly.

According to Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara’s “Safer From Wildfires” regulation, which was finalized in October 2022, insurance companies are now required to offer discounts to homeowners who take steps to reduce wildfire risks. These include measures like home hardening and community-wide fire prevention efforts—elements that CAL FIRE’s maps do not evaluate.

It’s also important to note that insurance companies already use their own advanced tools and risk models that go beyond CAL FIRE’s maps when deciding whether to offer coverage and at what price. So while the maps are valuable for local safety planning, they do not directly determine the availability or cost of homeowners insurance.

California Department of Insurance