REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
AND RECORD OF ACTION
May 20, 2025
FROM
DAN MUNSEY, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, San Bernardino County Fire Protection District
SUBJECT
Title
Ordinance Designating Fire Hazard Severity Zones
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Acting as the governing body of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District:
1. Consider proposed ordinance relating to the designation of Fire Hazard Severity Zones in the Local Responsibility Areas, as directed in the March 24, 2025, letter from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Office of the State Fire Marshal, in accordance with Government Code Sections 51178, 51179, and 51177(e), wherein San Bernardino County has been identified as having Moderate, High, Very High, or a combination of Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
2. Make alterations, if necessary, to proposed ordinance.
3. Approve introduction of proposed ordinance.
• An ordinance of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, State of California, to designate the Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
4. SCHEDULE ORDINANCE FOR FINAL ADOPTION ON TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2025, on the Consent Calendar.
(Presenter: Dan Munsey, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, 387-5779)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Improve County Government Operations.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of the recommended actions will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost) as this adoption to the proposed ordinance is non-financial in nature.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is mandated by Government Code section 51178 to identify levels of fire hazard in the Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) based on consistent statewide criteria and the severity of the fire hazard expected to prevail in those areas. OSFM recently updated the classifications of Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) in the LRA. The recent updates provide a more precise assessment of the wildfire risks using modern climate data and advanced fire modeling.
On March 24, 2025, OSFM’s transmittal letter of FHSZ was received by SBCFPD via email that served as the official notification of the recommendation, as San Bernardino County (County) has been identified as having Moderate, High, Very High, or a combination of FHSZ within the unincorporated County area. LRA areas are those where local government is responsible for wildfire protection, which in the case of the County, is the responsibility of SBCFPD.
Pursuant to Government Code section 51178.5, within the first 30 days after receiving the transmittal from the OSFM that identifies the FHSZ, SBCFPD must make the information available to the general public to review and comment, and the information must be presented in a format that is understandable and accessible, including, but not limited to, maps. SBCFPD has made the information publicly available on its website. The webpage includes an online form where members of the public can submit comments directly to SBCFPD. SBCFPD received 19 comments, some indicating it was hard to read the map, some indicating they were thankful for the designation, and some indicating they did not think the designation was appropriate.
Government Code section 51179 requires SBCFPD to designate, by ordinance, moderate, high, and very high zones in its jurisdiction within 120 days of receiving recommendations from the OSFM.
In accordance with Government Code section 50022 et seq., at the June 10, 2025, public hearing, the Board may amend, adopt or reject the ordinance.
Lastly, within 30 days of adopting the ordinance designating FHSZ, SBCFPD shall submit a copy of the ordinance and a map depicting the adopted zones within the LRA to the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection pursuant to California Code of Regulations §1280.02.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Richard Luczak and Jolena Grider, Deputies County Counsel, 387-5455) on April 28, 2025; Finance (Ivan Ramirez, Administrative Analyst, 387-4020) on April 29, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Valerie Clay, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on April 29, 2025.