By Ventura Breeze Staff –
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) has released updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) maps for Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) throughout the state, including the City of Ventura. As part of this process, the Ventura Fire Department is making the updated maps available to the public for review and input.
The draft Fire Hazard Severity Zone map for Ventura provides an updated assessment of local fire hazards and will help guide local fire prevention efforts, inform building regulations, and support emergency response planning. The map updates previous version approved in 2011 to reflect current fire risk conditions and new data. Hazard areas are rated moderate, high, and very high depending on the factors that contribute to fire behavior, like historical fire patterns, vegetation growth, weather, and terrain, among others.
Over 4,600 acres in the City of Ventura are considered to be under some threat from wildfires, much of that in the city’s hillside neighborhoods, including Clearpoint, Ondulando, Skyline, Ventura Hills, and the westside.
“The updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone map is a critical tool in understanding wildfire hazards in our community,” said Ventura Fire Chief David Endaya. “Public input is
an essential part of this process, and we encourage residents to review the map, ask questions, and share their feedback.”
Fire hazard severity maps are divided into two categories. Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) are regions where city or county fire departments, such as Ventura Fire, have jurisdiction over fire protection services. In contrast, State Responsibility Areas (SRA) are those where CAL FIRE is responsible for fire prevention and suppression. The newly released map specifically applies to LRAs, meaning it reflects wildfire risks in areas where Ventura Fire provides primary fire services.
Ventura residents are encouraged to review the updated map and provide input. Community feedback will be submitted to CAL FIRE as part of the map finalization process. The City of Ventura must submit refinements and adopt the final map by ordinance by July 7, 2025. Residents can submit their comments online at cityofventura.ca.gov/FHSZ or via email at fhrp@cityofventura.ca.gov.
For more information on the Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps, please visit cityofventura.ca.gov/FHSZ or contact the Ventura Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Division at 805-658-4717.
