The Placer County Board of Supervisors has introduced an ordinance establishing updated Fire Hazard Severity Zones in unincorporated areas of the county. The new zones—moderate, high, and very-high—are based on wildfire hazard modeling by the California State Fire Marshal. This update is part of wildfire preparedness efforts initiated by an executive order from Governor Gavin Newsom, according to the Placer County.
The new hazard zones, presented by Dave Atkinson from the Placer County Office of Emergency Services, focus on local responsibility areas covered by local fire services and update previous maps for state responsibility areas from 2024. District 5 Supervisor Cindy Gustafson said, "These updated hazard zones empower residents and builders with the knowledge to adopt proven safeguards." The maps use science-based data to improve community protection and provide clear information for homeowners and developers.
Placer County has updated its Fire Hazard Severity Zones to include new rules for home hardening and defensible space in very-high risk areas, as well as seller disclosure requirements for real estate transactions. The update also enforces building codes for new or remodeled structures in wildland-urban interface zones. The state fire marshal’s model uses a 50-year outlook based on fire history, weather, and fuel loads to assess risks in wildland areas. Assessments for non-wildland zones consider urban vegetation and ember exposure. The updated maps do not factor in individual fire-resistant features or predict structure loss. The ordinance is scheduled for a second reading by the Board of Supervisors on June 10. Updated maps and related information are available on the Placer County Fire Hazard Severity Zone website.
