Six Santa Barbara County Fire Departments release Updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps
News Channel 3-12
Below is a press release from multiple fire departments regarding Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps.
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, CA – On March 10, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) released updated Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) Maps for Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) within Santa Barbara County. It was CAL FIRE’s first update to the LRA maps since 2009. In accordance with State law, local agencies must adopt and designate updated zones within 120 days.
The State Fire Marshal classifies lands as one of the FHSZ types:
Moderate
High
Very High
Per Government Code, CAL FIRE provides FHSZ Maps for Local Responsibility Areas. The six fire departments of Santa Barbara County with areas updated by the 2025 release of CAL FIRE’s FHSZ Maps for Local Responsibility Areas are:
Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District
Montecito Fire Protection District
Santa Barbara City Fire Department
Santa Barbara County Fire Department
The six fire departments with Local Responsibility Areas in their jurisdictions have posted CAL FIRE’s LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) maps on their respective websites. Where applicable, local fire departments have also published proposed maps specific to their jurisdictions. These proposed maps incorporate State-designated zones and reflect local knowledge, such as terrain-specific hazards, sundowner wind patterns, and evacuation complexities.
Under State law, local agencies may not reduce the severity level of hazard zones designated by the State. However, they may raise the hazard classification or include additional areas based on local conditions.
Community members are encouraged to visit their local fire department’s website to review the map where they live and share comments.