VERY HIGH FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES (VH FHSZ) IN LOCAL RESPONSIBLITY AREAS (LRA)

Map of Carmel-by-the-Sea
Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VH FHSZ) in Local Responsibility Areas (LRA)
As Recommended by CAL FIRE

ABSTRACT: Critical information about Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s website is presented, including selected Questions and Answers about Fire Hazard Severity Zones, Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in Local Responsibility Areas and a link to a Map of Carmel-by-the-Sea delineating Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. NOTES present selected relevant excerpts from Government Code Sections 51175 – 51982 pertaining to requirements for cities with Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. A Power Point Presentation on Fire Ratings for Roofs link is provided; it is important to note that fire retardant pressure-treated wood shakes result in a “stand alone” Class B roof covering, but used in conjunction with an appropriate underlying fire barrier material, such as gypsum/fiberglass panel product, a Class-A assembly will result.

Question about fire hazard severity zones
What is a “Fire Hazard Severity Zone,” or FHSZ?
Answer: California law requires CAL FIRE to identify areas based on the severity of fire hazard that is expected to prevail there. These areas, or “zones,” are based on factors such as fuel (material that can burn), slope and fire weather. There are three zones, based on increasing fire hazard…medium, high and very high.

Questions about designation of very high fire hazard severity zones in local responsibility areas
NOTE: The Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps for Local Responsibility Area will be rolled out in 2008. An expanded question/answer sheet will be provided in this space at that time. This Q and A contains a limited amount of detail and is provided as an introduction to next year’s program.

What is “Local Responsibility Area”, or LRA?
Answer: Wildland fire protection in California is the responsibility of either the State, local government, or the federal government. Local responsibility areas include incorporated cities, cultivated agriculture lands, and portions of the desert. Local responsibility area fire protection is typically provided by city fire departments, fire protection districts, counties, and by CAL FIRE under contract to local government.

What is the “Bates” bill?
Answer: The “Bates” bill, Government Code Section 51175, was prompted by the devastating Oakland Hills Fire of 1991. This mid-1990s legislation calls for the CAL FIRE Director to evaluate fire hazard severity in local responsibility area and to make a recommendation to the local jurisdiction where very high Fire Hazard Severity Zones exist. The Government Code then provides direction for the local jurisdiction to take appropriate action.

How are Fire Hazard Severity Zones determined in local responsibility areas?
Answer: CAL FIRE uses an extension of the state responsibility area Fire Hazard Severity Zone model as the basis for evaluating fire hazard in local responsibility area. The local responsibility area hazard rating reflects flame and ember intrusion from adjacent wildlands and from flammable vegetation in the urban area. Scientists at the U. C. Berkeley Center for Fire Research and Outreach provided an urban fuels model that was incorporated in the hazard rating.

When will CAL FIRE recommend very high Fire Hazard Severity Zones to local agencies?
Answer: CALFIRE will prepare draft very high Fire Hazard Severity Zone recommendations for local responsibility areas during the summer of 2007. These recommendations are scheduled to reflect hazard ratings in adjacent state responsibility area zones. CAL FIRE anticipates reviewing and validating these draft local responsibility area recommendations with local agencies during the fall of 2007.

What are the requirements for landowners in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in local responsibility areas?
Answer: The exterior wildfire exposure protection codes apply to the design and construction of new buildings located in very high Fire Hazard Severity Zones in local responsibility areas. Local ordinances may require ignition resistant construction for remodel projects. Check with your local building department to determine which ignition resistant building codes apply to your project. In addition, Government Code Section 51182 calls for flammable vegetation clearance and other wildland fire safety practices for buildings. Owners are also required to make a natural hazard disclosure as part of a real estate transfer. For information regarding clearance around buildings see the Homeowners Checklist at www.fire.ca.gov.

Does the designation of Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone in the local responsibility area trigger the 100 foot clearance requirement?
Answer: Yes, unless exempted by local government under specified conditions, the 100 foot clearance requirements apply.

When is the effective date for Chapter 7A of the California Building Code (CBC)?
Answer: The Building Standards Commission re-set the Local Responsibility Area (LRA) adoption date of Chapter 7A from January 1, 2008 to July 1, 2008. Contact your local agency for more detailed information on the timing of the adoption within your specific jurisdiction.
Chapter 7A became effective in State Responsibility Area (SRA) on January 1, 2008.

Will the CBC Chapter 7A effective date change to July 1, 2008, have any affect on the LRA FHSZ mapping process?
Answer: No

Can the CAL FIRE Director’s recommendation be modified by the local agency?
Answer: A local agency may increase the area designated as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VH FHSZ) following a finding supported by substantial evidence in the record that the requirements of Section 51182 are necessary for effective fire protection within the area. No provision is made in the Government Code for a local agency to reduce the area recommended for designation as a VH FHSZ.

How will updates to the map occur after the VH FHSZ is adopted by a local jurisdiction?
Answer: This is a subject of a pending information bulletin being developed by the State Fire Marshal.

After CAL FIRE transmits the officially recommended LRA VH FHSZ map to the local agency, how much time does the local agency have to make this map available for public review?
Answer: Government Code Section 51178.5 states, ”...within 30 days after receiving a transmittal from the director that identifies very high fire hazard severity zones, a local agency shall make the information available for public review. The information shall be presented in a format that is understandable and accessible to the general public, including, but not limited to, maps”

What is the CAL FIRE’s responsibility for mapping fire hazards in local responsibility jurisdictions?
Answer: CAL FIRE is required to identify VH FHSZ and to transmit this information to local agencies. CAL FIRE is also required to periodically review the recommendations.

What does the Government Code say about fire hazards in local responsibility areas?
Answer: Government Code Sections 51175 – 51189 cover fire hazards in local responsibility areas.

What is the local agency’s responsibility regarding the Director’s recommendation for VH FHSZ rating in the local responsibility area?
Answer: It is the local agency’s responsibility to make the recommendation available for public review and to designate, by ordinance, VH FHSZs in its jurisdiction.

How are LRA VH FHSZ used by local agencies?
Answer: LRA VH FHSZ maps are used to identify areas where ignition resistant building standards will be required for new construction, to identify properties requiring defensible space maintenance, and by sellers to disclose natural hazards at the time of property sale. It is strongly recommended that local governments use the LRA VH FHSZ’s as they update the safety elements of their general plans.

What is CAL FIRE doing to ensure that the LRA FHSZ map recommendations are accurate?
Answer: CAL FIRE has made draft maps available to local agencies through its website http://frap.cdf.ca.gov/projects/hazard/draft_info.html. Local agencies have had the opportunity to comment on these draft maps and have requested changes, based on supporting data. CAL FIRE is reviewing the recommended changes and is updating the LRA VH FHSZ were appropriate. Local agencies will have further opportunities for input before the Director issues a formal recommendation. CA FIRE will post a “change map” indicating how local suggestions have been processed. Links to the change maps can be found on the Fire Hazard Severity Zone Mapping web page.

What if the local entity does not have the geographic information system (GIS) capability to evaluate the draft data for FHSZ?
Answer: CAL FIRE will assist that local agency by providing GIS technical support. This support can be requested by contacting CAL FIRE’s Northern Region FHSZ Mapping Coordinator at (530) 224-2445 or Southern Region FHSZ Mapping Coordinator at (559) 222-3714.

Which law defines the roles and responsibilities of local agencies to adopt LRA VH-FHSZ?
Answer: Government Code Sections 51175 – 51182 defines the roles and responsibilities for LRA Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone adoption.
http://www.fire.ca.gov/fire_prevention/downloads/GovernmentCode51175.pdf

What happens if the local jurisdiction does not adopt CAL FIRE’s recommendation?
Answer: Local jurisdictions should consult their legal counsel regarding responsibilities defined in the Government Code Sections 51175 - 51982.

When will CAL FIRE transmit the officially recommend LRA VH FHSZ maps to the local agencies?
Answer: CAL FIRE will transmit the official recommendations to local agencies between April and June, 2008.

What process is being used to develop the recommended VH FHSZ ratings in local responsibility areas?
Answer: CAL FIRE has submitted draft maps to a number of counties and over 200 cities for review. The maps show suggested LRA VH FHSZ and, for background, also indicate suggested High and Moderate FHSZ. Cities and counties are in the process of reviewing suggested FHSZ ratings and submitting their input to CAL FIRE. CAL FIRE is reviewing the proposed input and posting “change maps” and other information on the web. These change maps indicate how local suggestions have been processed. Links to the change maps can be found on the Fire Hazard Severity Zone Mapping web page.

What do the “change maps” show?
Answer: The “change maps” show information related just to LRA VH FHSZ rankings. The LRA Very High ranking is the only zone for which the law requires CAL FIRE to provide a recommendation to local government.

Can the public comment on the “change maps”?
Answer: CAL FIRE has made provisions for local agencies to comment on the maps over the web. Public questions should be directed to the local fire department or governing body.

Can local agencies obtain maps of High and Moderate FHSZ ranking?
Answer: Changes in LRA Very High ratings from the original draft map will affect the location of high and moderate rankings. At this time, CAL FIRE is not recalculating the hazard model to reflect those changes in the high and moderate hazard rankings. Local agencies can request this information. However, CAL FIRE will not be able to provide the information until after recommendations for LRA VH FHSZ are developed.

Will the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone in Local Responsibility Area affect the cost and availability of fire insurance?
Answer: Insurance rates are determined by a variety of factors, including Fire Risk. Fire Risk is different from Fire Hazard. Fire Hazard is the focus of the FHSZ maps, not Fire Risk. Fire Hazard is based on factors such as fuel (material that can burn), slope and fire weather. Fire Risk considers the potential for damage based on factors such as the ability of a fire to ignite the structure, the flammability of the construction material, and mitigation measures that reduce the risk. These mitigation measures include defensible space, building design, ignition resistant building materials, and ignition resistant construction techniques.
Ultimately, it is not possible to state that insurers will ignore the limitations of the focus of FHSZ maps. However, to respond to such issues, the California Department of Insurance and CAL FIRE have established a partnership and joint commitment to protecting Californians from fire losses. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Insurance Commissioner and the Director of CAL FIRE, October, 2007 to mutually promote awareness and collaboration among fire officials, the insurance industry, and the public to prevent and mitigate fire losses.
The MOU can be found at http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0400-news/0100-press-releases/0060-2007/upload/Insurance_CDI_CALFIRE_MOU_091007TC.pdf.

What difference do the Fire Hazard Severity Zones make?
Answer: In areas designated as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, the roofing standards change. Please see the details on roofing requirements (165K PDF).

NOTES:
Government Code
51178.5.
Within 30 days after receiving a transmittal from the director that identifies very high fire hazard severity zones, a local agency shall make the information available for public review. The information shall be presented in a format that is understandable and accessible to the general public, including, but not limited to, maps.

51179.
(a) A local agency shall designate, by ordinance, very high fire hazard severity zones in its jurisdiction within 120 days of receiving recommendations from the director pursuant to subdivisions (b) and (c) of Section 51178. A local agency shall be exempt from this requirement if ordinances of the local agency, adopted on or before December 31, 1992, impose standards that are equivalent to, or more restrictive than, the standards imposed by this chapter.

The Carmel Pine Cone, New fire code bans wood roofs, siding in new homes, MARY BROWNFIELD, July 25, 2008.

Class A roof coverings
Common 'stand alone' Class A roof coverings include -
1. Asphalt composition ('3-tab') shingles
2. Clay tiles
3. Concrete tiles
4. Slate

Power Point Presentation: Fire Ratings for Roofs

Fire Prevention through City’s Compliance with Local Coastal Program

ABSTRACT: A SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING will be held on Tuesday, July 15, 2008, at 4:30 P.M. in Council Chambers for the purpose of receiving a Staff Report and providing “POLICY DIRECTION REGARDING FIRE PREVENTION PLAN.” The focus of the Post is on the report section, “Public Property fire safety;” the “Public Property fire safety” section is reproduced in its entirety. COMMENTS are made and REFERENCES, including links to the STAFF REPORT REGARDING FIRE PREVENTION PLAN, prepared by Public Safety Director George Rawson, EXHIBIT “A” CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA MUNICIPAL CODES FIRE RELATED REGULATIONS and selected relevant sections of the General Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan, are presented.

NOTICE OF SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Special Meeting and Closed Session
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
4:30 pm
Council Chambers
East side of Monte Verde Street between Ocean and Seventh Avenues

I. Call to Order
II. Roll Call
III. Pledge of Allegiance
IV. Orders of Council
A. Receive report and provide policy direction regarding a City-wide fire prevention plan.

Meeting Date: July 15, 2008
Prepared by: George E. Rawson
TO: MAYOR McCLOUD AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
THROUGH: RICH GUILLEN, CITY ADMINISTRATOR
FROM: GEORGE E. RAWSON, PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR
DATE: July 9, 2008
SUBJECT: RECEIVE REPORT AND PROVIDE POLICY DIRECTION REGARDING FIRE PREVENTION PLAN

Public Property fire safety - In regards to public properties and parklands, city forester Mike Branson has been working with the fire department to ensure vegetation clearance efforts are completed. A contract crew is finishing the Mission Trails Nature Park project which included the mowing of dead grasses and the removal of undesirable vegetation. The sections completed include: the areas west of Flanders Mansion driveway, the upper section of Serra trail, the upper and lower Doolittle trail, the Willow trail, the Mountain View entrance, the Martin Meadow which was done by city staff, and other pedestrian trails.

The crew will also address the Pescadero Canyon area, specifically Second Ave. between Casanova & Camino Real Streets, by removing some genista. Dead grass and other vegetation will be cut on both sides of the roadway (target of 10’). The Public Safety Director and Assistant Fire Chief Dave Brown also met with CAL-FIRE administrators who confirmed they are coordinating a vegetation abatement process on the Pebble Beach side of Pescadero Canyon.

Public streets will be cleared of low limbs or other obstructions. Additional pruning will be done on the Willow trees from Rio Rd. to the city well.

View of “Cleared” Serra Trail, Mission Trail Nature Preserve

View of Vegetation Overgrowth Clogging Channel in Mission Trail Nature Preserve

View of Non-Native & Invasive Vegetation Overgrowth, East of Serra Trail, Mission Trail Nature Preserve

COMMENTS:
• Due to the unprecedented number and severity of wildfires in California during the 2008 fire season and “based on the high fire danger this year,” the City Council discussed fire prevention as an urgency topic at their meeting on July 1, 2008 and directed the preparation of a report summarizing existing municipal code authorities relating to fire safety. As it pertains to Mission Trail Nature Preserve, Public Safety Director George Rawson wrote that a contract crew is mowing dead grasses and removing undesirable vegetation. Completed areas include: “the areas west of Flanders Mansion driveway, the upper section of Serra trail, the upper and lower Doolittle trail, the Willow trail, the Mountain View entrance, the Martin Meadow which was done by city staff, and other pedestrian trails.” Moreover, City Forester Mike Branson has been working with the fire department to ensure vegetation clearance efforts are completed.

• Apparently, the impetus for “vegetation clearance efforts” in Mission Trail Nature Preserve was not normal, routine maintenance; rather it was due to the unprecedented 2008 fire season. While it is important for the City to recognize and respond to the unprecedented 2008 fire season, it is also important for the City to comply with the City’s Local Coastal Program, including the removal of invasive horticultural species and non-native plants from the Preserve, removal of inert debris and overgrowth to the extent that the vegetation prohibits water flow within the established channel, et cetera, as a proactive measure to address fire prevention and safety during normal periods and emergency periods.

• While, “Staff recommends a fire danger awareness campaign be initiated that includes a press release, media coverage, and posting information on the city website,” the City can promote fire safety by complying with the City’s Local Coastal Program and schedule regular, routine maintenance efforts year long, especially in fire prone areas, such as Mission Trail Nature Preserve.

REFERENCES:
STAFF REPORT REGARDING FIRE PREVENTION PLAN
FROM: GEORGE E. RAWSON, PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR
DATE: July 9, 2008

EXHIBIT “A” CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA MUNICIPAL CODES
FIRE RELATED REGULATIONS

General Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan Coastal Resource Management Element

P5-118 Avoid removal or pruning of native riparian vegetation except for drainage channel and road/trail clearance and/or for the purpose of new native indigenous tree/shrub establishment. (LUP)

O5-27 Reduce the introduction and population of invasive horticultural species in the Preserve. (LUP)

P5-122 Organize volunteer work groups to remove non-native plants from the Preserve. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection crews from Gabilan Camp could be used to assist in this effort. (LUP)

G5-10 To preserve the natural drainage of Mission Trail Nature Preserve and enhance wetlands. (LUP)

O5-31 Maintain natural drainage patterns except where erosion or human safety problems may be created. Maintain the existing creek bed and preclude it from becoming debris clogged. Encourage/allow the channelized ditch to revert to a more natural channel in order to enhance the Preserve’s wetlands (riparian forest, wet meadow) and natural character. (LUP)

P5-131 Remove fallen trees and limbs from the stream channels as needed. Place natural boulders and creek cobbles to prevent erosion only in situations where private property or public safety is at risk. (LUP)

P5-132 Repair stream bank deterioration as it occurs, and remove inert debris and new growth to the extent that they prohibit water flow within the established channel. Projects of this nature shall be reviewed by the Forest and Beach Commission, similar to its review of street projects. (LUP)

P5-137 Clean and grade road shoulders and maintain culverts at least twice yearly, to insure continuous drainage. The Forest and Beach Department will trim vegetation to the extent necessary to allow access by the City maintenance equipment and fire apparatus. (LUP)

G5-11 Maintain Mission Trail Nature Preserve using great care to avoid degradation of resources. (LUP)

O5-35 Implement the Mission Trail Nature Preserve Master Plan maintenance provisions. (LUP)

P5-149 Repair stream bank deterioration as it occurs, and remove inert debris and new growth to the extent that they prohibit water flow within the established channel. (Annually: September - October.) (LUP)

P5-150 Clean and grade road shoulders and maintain culverts to ensure continuous drainage. Trim vegetation to the extent necessary to allow access of equipment (Annually: September - October.) (LUP)

P5-151 Remove fallen limbs and trees from stream channels (As needed.) (LUP)

P5-156 Conduct trail maintenance and clearance (June - August.) (LUP)