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Page 2 of 4 <br />City of Redwood City 1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA. 94063 Tel: 650-780-7000 www.redwoodcity.org <br />critical role in guiding where Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) building codes apply, defensible space <br />standards are enforced, and fire hazard disclosures are required during real estate transactions. <br />In recent years, California has experienced more frequent and destructive wildfires due to a <br />combination of factors including climate change, prolonged drought, extended fire seasons, and <br />increasing development along the wildland-urban interface. In response, CAL FIRE initiated a <br />comprehensive update of the FHSZ LRA maps in 2022, using advanced fire science and modeling <br />techniques to reflect the evolving wildfire landscape. This effort resulted in updated State <br />Responsibility Area (SRA) maps finalized in late 2023, and local jurisdictions are now required to review <br />and adopt updated FHSZ maps for their respective LRAs. <br />As part of this statewide effort, CAL FIRE issued a major update to its LRA FHSZ maps for the first time <br />since 2008. At the beginning of 2025, the City of Redwood City received official notice that portions of <br />the city have been identified for updated classification under this new mapping initiative. <br />Per Government Code Sections 51178.5 and 51179, the city is required to: <br />Make the draft maps available to the public for review and comment within 30 days of <br />transmittal from the State Fire Marshal. <br />Adopt the final map designations via ordinance within 120 days of receiving the <br />recommendations from the State Fire Marshal. <br />Submit the adopted ordinance and maps to CAL FIRE within 30 days of adoption. <br />This item is being brought forward to the City Council to fulfill the requirements of state law and to <br />begin the adoption process. <br />At its May 12, 2025 meeting, after receiving a presentation on the updates to the LRA Map, the City <br />Council introduced the ordinance. <br />ANALYSIS <br />On February 28, 2025, the notification of the release of LRA maps was shared through the Redwood <br />City eNewsletter, and the maps were made available to the public for review and comment. <br />The updated FHSZ classifications provide essential information for community planning, hazard <br />mitigation, and public safety. These designations are intended to help local governments and <br />residents understand fire hazards and make informed decisions about mitigation strategies. <br />It is important to note the difference between fire hazard and fire risk, which includes ignition sources <br />and suppression capabilities, but rather the intrinsic hazard due to environmental conditions. <br />Compared to the previous maps (published between 2007-2011), fire hazard severity zones in our <br />area have been reduced. There are no areas in Redwood City classified as Very High Fire Hazard Severity <br />Zones. This means that property owners and new developments will not face additional defensible <br />space requirements based on these classifications. <br />6.M. - Page 2 of 7 <br />400