The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is mandated by Government Code Sec. 51178 to identify levels of fire hazard in the Local Responsibility Area (LRA) based on consistent statewide criteria and the expected severity of fire hazards, and Government Code Sec. 51179 requires the State Fire Marshal to make recommendations of fire hazard severity zones to local agencies (Sec. 51177(e)), for city and county designation and adoption by ordinance.

On March 24, 2025, the OSFM issued the 2025 Recommended Local Responsibility Area (LRA) FHSZ maps for Southern California.

LRA 2025 FHSZ Map Changes

Under State law, Government Code Section 51179 (b)(3), a local agency (Pomona) SHALL NOT decrease the level of the LRA FHSZ recommended by the OSFM. A local agency (Pomona) can only make additions to or increase the level of the LRA FHSZ recommended by the OSFM.

LRA 2025 FHSZ Map Adoption

Within 120 days of official notice from CalFire, the City is required to adopt, by ordinance, the OSFM-recommended LRA FHSZ maps.

State Fire Marshall Rollout Plan

The State Fire Marshall FHSZ Rollout Plan includes the City of Pomona in “Phase 4” starting March 24, 2025, which is the date the City received the 2025 LRA FHZS maps that evaluate “hazard,” not “risk” to include areas or zones of Very High, High, and Moderate fire hazard based on consistent statewide criteria and the severity of fire hazard that is expected to prevail in those areas (Government Code Sec. 51178).

“Hazard” is based on the physical conditions that create a likelihood and expected fire behavior over a 30 to 50-year period without considering mitigation measures such as home hardening, recent wildfire, or fuel reduction efforts. “Risk” is the potential damage a fire can do to the area under existing conditions, accounting for any modifications such as fuel reduction projects, defensible space, and ignition resistant building construction.

The zones must be based on fuel loading, slope, fire weather, and other relevant factors including areas where winds have been identified by the State Fire Marshall as a major cause of wildfire spread. These map updates are intended to enhance California’s approach to wildfire preparedness.

Overview-Handout-LRA-Fire-Hazard-Severity-Zone-Map-Approval-Process

LRA Areas in Pomona

LRA areas in Pomona are those where the “local government” is responsible for wildfire protection, which in the case of Pomona, is the responsibility of the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The City of Pomona contracts with Los Angeles County Fire Department for fire protection services.

LRA 2025 FHSZ Map Viewing

Click the links below to view the OSFM 2025 Recommended LRA FHSZ Maps.

Fire Hazard Severity Zones in Local Responsibility Area - City of Pomona

Fire Hazard Severity Zone Viewer

Public Noticing

Pursuant to Government Code Sec. 51178.5 within 30 days after receiving a transmittal from the State Fire Marshal that identifies fire hazard severity zones pursuant to Government Code Sec. 51178, the City of Pomona must make the information available for public review and comment, and the information must be presented in a format that is understandable and accessible to the general public, including, but not limited to, maps.

The City of Pomona must also post a notice (Government Code Sec. 51179(g)) at the office of the City Clerk identifying the location of the map provided by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to Government Code Sec. 51178.

This webpage has been created to make the information available for public review and comment.

Public Review and Comment on FHSZ Map

The public comment period will be open from April 14, 2025, through May 15, 2025. To obtain a hard copy of the map for viewing, or to make a public comment and for further information please visit the Human Resources Risk Management Department in the City of Pomona located at 505 S. Garey Ave. Pomona, CA 91730 or email safety@pomonaca.gov.

Ordinance Adoption 

Pursuant to Government Code Sec. 51179(a), the City of Pomona must adopt the 2025 LRA Moderate, High, and Very High FHSZs in the city by ordinance, with an associated map, within 120 days of receiving official notice of the maps availability. 

Additional Resources

CAL FIRE has provided a fact sheet and answers to frequently asked questions, which you can view below:

LRA-Legislation-Factsheet---Flipbook-combined

2024 FHSZ FAQs_ENGLISH

2024 FHSZ FAQs_SPANISH

Additionally, State Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara provided a set of questions and answers regarding how this update will affect insurance availability and costs. You can view them at:

CDI-FHSZ English

CDI-FHSZ Spanish

For more information regarding the FHSZ maps and the process of development can be found at CAL FIRE FHSZ Maps.

Methods for Creating Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps

For questions about how these maps were developed, please watch this video.