The City of Laguna Woods is required to adopt fire hazard severity zones that are at least equal to those recommended by the State Fire Marshal. Each of the three fire hazard severity zones – moderate, high, and very high – are based on consistent statewide criteria and the State Fire Marshal’s assessment of the severity of fire hazard that is expected to prevail in a given area. The State Fire Marshal’s assessment considers fuel loading, slope, fire weather, and other relevant factors including areas where winds have been identified as a major cause of wildfire spread. Recent wildfire activity and the presence of mitigation measures such as home hardening and brush clearance are not considered.
Fire hazard severity zones are used for various purposes set forth in state law including, but not limited to, designating areas where the State of California’s defensible space standards and wildland urban interface building codes apply. Certain disclosures are also required during real estate transactions involving the sale of real property located in high and very high fire hazard severity zones.
The City of Laguna Woods’ current fire hazard severity zones reflect the State Fire Marshal’s mandatory minimum recommendations dated March 24, 2025. They became effective on July 18, 2025.
