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Redwood City is poised to adopt updated state fire safety severity zone maps that, for the first time in nearly two decades, show zero parcels within city limits classified as “very high” wildfire hazard areas, a dramatic shift from the 1,266 properties previously listed in 2007.
The Redwood City Council on Monday unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance to adopt the maps developed by CAL FIRE and the Office of the State Fire Marshal, which are part of a statewide wildfire resilience effort.
Redwood City Fire Chief Baraka Carter said the update is a “critical part of the state’s broader wildfire resiliency strategy, and ensures consistency between local and state prevention and mitigation efforts.”
The new maps reflect updated modeling techniques that consider localized wind patterns, topography, vegetation, and past wildfire activity, according to Redwood City Fire Marshal Janice Cheung. First developed in response to a series of devastating wildfires, the state’s fire hazard severity (FHSZ) maps classify a wildland area as Moderate, High, or Very High fire hazard based on a fire’s likelihood and potential behavior.
“The new maps reflect more accurate, high-resolution data that helps us better understand potential fire behavior in our community,” Cheung said.
Today, 60 parcels are classified as “high” hazard and six as “moderate.” According to the updated maps, Redwood City would have no parcels designated as “very high” fire hazard severity zones, down from 1,266 in 2007.
Cal Fire had been working for several years on a new science-based model to update maps across the state. The agency completed mapping state-managed areas, known as the State Responsibility Area, at the end of 2023, and those maps took effect in April 2024. Since then, it has been mapping areas managed by local governments. These maps were released in four phases from Feb. 10 through March 24.
Cheung explained that the changes stem largely from improved data, not necessarily from physical changes in vegetation or development patterns. She added that the maps represent fire hazard, defined as the likelihood and potential behavior of a wildfire, rather than risk, which includes human assets and mitigation efforts such as defensible space or emergency response capabilities.
According to the city staff, the ordinance is required under California Government Code Section 51179 and Assembly Bill 211, which mandate that cities adopt updated hazard maps within 120 days of receiving them. Redwood City received its maps on Feb. 24.
Council members praised the update but urged state agencies to adopt a more regular mapping schedule, ideally every 10 years, rather than waiting for major fire events to trigger reviews.
“I think that will help us be better leaders on all levels, rather than just wait to see how many fires break out,” Council member Jeff Gee said.
The second reading and final adoption of the ordinance will take place at a future council meeting. Once adopted, the city will submit the updated ordinance and maps to the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection for official filing.
