New wildfire risk map suggests California communities increasingly vulnerable

After years of promising, Cal Fire has released new, updated maps to help residents determine if they live in a risky wildfire area.

The interactive Wildfire Hazard Severity Zone map is more than a decade in the making and comes after groups voiced criticism of Cal Fire, calling the department’s antiquated maps “pretty inexcusable.” 

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The new map, when looked at in addition to areas that have already burned CapRadio’s California Wildfire History Map, suggests increased vulnerability for many communities in wildland-urban interface areas.

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Residents whose homes are within high risk zones have to disclose this information when they sell their property. They also are required by a new California law to build out defensible space to keep their properties safer from wildfire.

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