Fire Hazard Severity Zones

ALL OF TFPD IS HFHSZ or VHFHSZ… What does that mean??

While most of California is subject to some degree of fire hazard, there are specific features that make some areas more hazardous. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is required by law to map areas of significant fire hazards based on fuels, terrain, local weather, and other relevant factors. These designations, referred to as Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ), mandate how people construct buildings and protect property to reduce risk associated with wildland fires. They can be a factor in real estate disclosure, and local governments may consider them in their general plan. 

When reviewing FHSZ, you’ll see references to State Responsibility Area (SRA) and Local Responsibility Area (LRA). These legal terms define who has financial responsibility for wildland fire protection and prevention for an area. Truckee Fire District includes both LRA (the incorporated Town of Truckee) and SRA (the unincorporated areas of Nevada and Placer Counties). Truckee Fire District includes both LRA (the incorporated Town of Truckee) and SRA (the unincorporated areas of Nevada and Placer Counties).

Within SRA, CAL FIRE is responsible. Within LRA, it’s the local government. This is relevant because the process for identifying and mapping FHSZ differs between SRA and LRA. CAL FIRE has the authority to adopt the Zones for SRA. For the LRA, CAL FIRE evaluates fire hazard severity, makes a recommendation to the local jurisdiction, who then takes appropriate action to adopt the mapping. Until recently, LRA FHSZ maps only identified areas that are Very High FHSZ. Prompted by new legislation, FHSZ maps are being updated and will also identify Medium and High FHSZ. In February 2025, Town of Truckee received CAL FIRE’s recommendations. See Town of Truckee’s website for the current status of their adoption of the maps. https://www.townoftruckee.gov/679/Fire-Hazard-Severity-Zone-Update

Nearly all properties within the Truckee Fire Protection District are considered High and Very High FHSZ, whether in SRA or LRA. This means that, unless otherwise exempt, they are subject to the CIV 1102.19 real estate disclosures.

Learn more about FHSZ, SRA and LRA, and the relevant legislation in CAL FIRE’s Fact Sheet or their FHSZ page

Learn more about Town of Truckee’s Fire Hazard Severity Zone Update here and here