CAL FIRE hosting public hearing on county fire hazard map

CAL FIRE, the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, will introduce a proposed update to the fire hazard severity zone map for state responsibility area lands in San Diego County at a public hearing on Thursday, June 21. The public hearings will be held at Pacific Coast Hearing Room, 5201 Ruffin Road, Suite B, one at 10 a.m. and another at 2 p.m. All members of the community are invited.

California law requires CAL FIRE to produce maps identifying areas that face moderate, high or very high fire hazard within property for which the state has financial responsibility for wildland fire protection. The maps are used to determine legal requirements affecting property owners, including building construction standards. The maps were last updated in the late 1980s. It is necessary to update the maps to ensure accuracy and incorporate improved fire science and mapping techniques.

The hearing will include an overview of the process used to develop the map. A large format version of the map will be on display at the hearing and on the CAL FIRE Web site, http://www.fire.ca.gov. The public will have an opportunity to submit a public comment on the map at the hearing and by mail or e-mail following the hearing. CAL FIRE will review and respond to all public comments before the maps are adopted or revised by the CAL FIRE Director.

Comprehensive information on the map update process is available at http://www.fire.ca.gov/fireprone. The Web site includes an interactive map that allows users to find the proposed hazard rating for a specific address. For more information on the public hearing, contact Roxanne Provaznik at (619) 590-3100 or [email protected].