The Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources Policy
Committee is seeking feedback on
SB 610 (Wiener), a bill that changes the fire hazard severity
zones (FHSZ) adoption process. The bill would allow counties the
ability to adjust the levels of FHSZ as identified by the State
Fire Marshal, including decreasing the level of the FHSZ. To
adjust the state’s recommendations, local agencies will need to
provide a finding of necessity supported by substantial evidence.
If changes to the State Fire Marshal recommendations are made, a
local agency would need to provide a public comment period of 60
days but would not be adopted until it is approved by the State
Fire Marshal. Additionally, the bill would permit the State Fire
Marshal to rebut a change made by a local agency.
Currently, existing law prohibits a local agency from decreasing
the level of FHSZ as identified by the State Fire Marshal and
prevents the State Fire Marshal from rebutting a change made by a
local agency.
CSAC continues to monitor the FHSZ mapping process currently
being updated by the Office of the State Fire Marshal. For any
questions or concerns, please contact Catherine Freeman, cfreeman@counties.org.
