New Cal Fire Maps Could Expand Altadena’s High-Fire Zones

The Altadena Town Council learned at its Tuesday, February 18 virtual meeting that California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (known as Cal Fire) will release new fire hazard maps next month that could significantly expand the town’s designated high-fire zones, potentially affecting rebuilding requirements for residents recovering from recent fire damage.

“I can almost promise that whatever Altadena fire zone was or is at this moment, it’s going to be larger when that map comes out,” Maria Grycan, Los Angeles County Fire Dept. representative, told the Town Council. “If there were homes that burned that were technically outside of the fire zone during this fire when they go to be rebuilt, they could very well be in the fire zone when these maps come out.”

The new maps for Southern California are scheduled for release on March 24, following Cal Fire’s ongoing rollout of Northern California maps.

While officials have not yet seen the final maps, a public comment period will follow the release.

“Cal Fire is likely not going to reduce the fire zone in any way,” Reichen explained. “The only comments that they will probably take into consideration from stakeholders and from residents is they’ve kind of drawn the lines on the map. Wherever they put the fire zone, that’s where they put the fire zone. And it could very well be that fire zone cuts right through the middle of a property.”

Properties within designated fire zones must meet specific building requirements.

“For all the properties within the mapped areas and the high fire hazard severity zones, those homes will have to be rebuilt based on the resilient requirements of Chapter 7 A, which would require the stucco exterior or Hardie Board”,” Juan Madrigal, who is the Assistant Deputy Director, Superintendent of Building for Los Angeles County Public Works, explained at the meeting. “Roofing would be a Class A, your windows will be dual glaze. One of the panes has to be tempered as to the heat not popping or breaking the glass and then the fire going inside.”

Officials are also recommending that property owners outside mapped areas consider similar precautions.

“That’s an option for them to go beyond minimum requirements and comply with Chapter 7 A,” Madrigal noted. “And so we’re definitely encouraging them to provide those elements in their homes to the future, hopefully provide a protection, a more resilient home when they rebuild.”

The agency will only consider boundary adjustments to include entire properties when zone lines cut through parcels, but will not entertain requests to exclude properties from fire zones.