The new maps, released last month by the California State Fire Marshal, cover areas under the jurisdiction of all local fire departments (called Local Responsibility Areas, or LRAs, and assign comparative levels of varying fire-hazard severity based on climate and topography. 

Under state law, cities and other local governmental agencies are required to adopt or incorporate the new hazard designations of moderate, high and very high into local ordinances that inform and guide local land-use planning, code enforcement and wildfire risk mitigation strategies. 

Impacts to Homeowners Insurance

The new fire hazard severity maps are unlikely to affect homeowner insurance prices in California, as insurers already use this information and other data in their pricing models.

California Department of Insurance has provided the following frequently asked questions documents: 

• Insurance and CAL FIRE Hazard Severity Zone Map (English)
• Insurance and CAL FIRE Hazard Severity Zone Map (Spanish)

Find Your Property's Fire Hazard Severity Zone Classification

Click the search icon () to enter your address into the Fire Hazard Severity Zone Viewer below to learn more about your property's Fire Hazard Zone Classification. 

Public Comment Period

The public comment period opens on March 19, 2025, and closes on April 30, 2025, at 11:59 PM. All comments will be included in the presentation to the Hayward City Council at its regular meeting on May 27, 2025.

Leave Your Public Comments Here