State Fire Marshal's Office Identifies Salinas' Fire Hazard Zones
Published on July 02, 2025
Public Notice: California Assembly Bill 211 – Fire Hazard Severity Zone Designations
California Assembly Bill 211 (AB 211), recently signed into law, expands the requirements for how local agencies designate Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Previously, local jurisdictions were only required to adopt Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) maps provided by the State Fire Marshal. Under AB 211, jurisdictions must now also adopt Moderate and High FHSZ designations within 120 days of receiving the State Fire Marshal’s recommendations.
What This Means for Salinas
Two areas within the City of Salinas have been classified as ‘Moderate’ Fire Hazard Severity Zones on the State Fire Marshal’s most recent mapping. While this does not mean immediate changes for most residents, it signals that we must be proactive and prepare for future fire risks. As temperatures rise, weather patterns shift, and urban areas expand closer to natural vegetation, these hazard zones may be updated. The City is required to monitor these changes and adjust local ordinances accordingly in partnership with the State Fire Marshal.
Community Feedback Encouraged
The City of Salinas is committed to keeping our community informed and involved. As we begin the process of adopting the official Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zone map into local ordinance, we invite residents, property owners, and stakeholders to review the information and share any comments, questions, or concerns.
Documents for Reference:
The History of Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps
Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps arose from major destructive fires, prompting the recognition of these areas and strategies to reduce wildfire risks. Legislative response led to mandated mapping across California under the California Public Resources Code 4201-4204, encompassing all State Responsibility Areas (SRA).
What are Fire Hazard Severity Zones?
The State Fire Marshal is mandated to classify lands within State Responsibility Areas into Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ). Fire Hazard Severity Zones fall into one of the following classifications: Moderate, High, and Very High.
The California laws that require Fire Hazard Severity Zones include California Public Resources Code 4201-4204, California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 1280 and California Government Code 51175-89.
Fire Hazard Severity Zones
The Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) maps are developed using a science-based and field-tested model that assigns a hazard score based on the factors that influence fire likelihood and fire behavior. Many factors are considered such as fire history, existing and potential fuel (natural vegetation), predicted flame length, blowing embers, terrain, and typical fire weather for the area. There are three levels of hazard in the State Responsibility Areas: moderate, high, and very high.
Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps evaluate “hazard,” not “risk”. They are like 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. “Hazard” is based on the physical conditions that create a likelihood and expected fire behavior over a 30 to 50-year period without considering mitigation measures such as home hardening, recent wildfire, or fuel reduction efforts. “Risk” is the potential damage a fire can do to the area under existing conditions, accounting for any modifications such as fuel reduction projects, defensible space, and ignition resistant building construction.
Definitions:
- Vegetation: Fire hazard considers the potential vegetation over a 30- to 50- year time horizon. Vegetation is “fuel” for a wildfire and it may vary over time.
- Topography: Fire typically burns more quickly and intensely up steep slopes.
- Climate: Fire moves faster and is more intense under hot, dry, and windy conditions.
- Crown Fire Potential: Under extreme conditions, fires burn to the top of trees and tall brush.
- Ember production and movement: Burning embers, known as firebrands, spread fire ahead of the flame front and can ignite buildings up to a mile away from the main fire.
- Fire History: Past fire occurrence of an area over several decades