After the new map, almost all of that will be ‘very high’ only a few small “high” pockets and no moderate.”Īccording to Cal Fire, it worked with the Department of Insurance and other agencies to create the Department’s “first-ever report on climate insurance recommended updated wildfire hazard mapping to improve public safety. The classifications are moderate, high and very high.Īccording to Valley Center Fire Marshal Jim Davidson, “About fifty percent of VC is currently rated either moderate or high. It took into account fire history, existing and potential fuel (natural vegetation), predicted flame length, blowing embers, terrain, and typical fire weather for an area. Science and wildfire mitigation experts created the map using a model that assigns a hazard score based on factors that influence fire likelihood and behavior. The map only updates areas in the Golden State’s unincorporated, rural areas where wildfires tend to be frequent-called the “SRA” or “State Responsibility Area.” Cities and urban areas are not included.Ĭhief Daniel Berlant, Cal Fire Deputy Director of Community Wildfire Preparedness and Mitigation commented, “Ensuring Californians know the wildfire hazard in their area is critical to ensuring we all take the appropriate steps to prepare for wildfires.” He added, “The updated map is the product of years of discussions and incorporates the latest science to provide a long-term outlook of an area’s wildfire hazard.” It includes, among other things, the effects of changing climate. Cal Fire, comes “After years of planning and collaboration with fire scientists, firefighters, stakeholders, and local community partners, the new map reflects changes in fire hazard in unincorporated, rural areas, as experienced in California over past years.” It will also very likely make home owners insurance rates higher than they are now.-Which might strike some as ridiculous, since how could they be higher? Which will also have the effect of making sure the County doesn’t develop any emergency evacuation routes out of town. Well, some (probably a lot) will say, we don’t want any more development anyway. One developer, who had proposed a 700 unit project, did the math and calculated that the updated map will add $90 million-effectively rendering it unbuildable. The map, which has real life consequences for residents, is almost certain to make it harder-if not impossible-to build a new development in Valley Center by adding to the already onerous effects of the County’s VMT (Vehicle-Miles-Traveled) guidelines adopted in October. The map, which Cal Fire has opened a public comment period on the map, which, as Cal Fire describes, “is a comprehensive map that ranks California’s State Responsibility Area (SRA)-or rural, unincorporated areas-based on the likelihood different areas will experience wildfire.” Look to see the cost of new home building skyrocket, along with home owner insurance rates if the proposed map is adopted. See how you can comment at the end of this article. Cal Fire will be holding 57 stakeholders’ meetings during the comment period. The public will have two months to comment on the proposed map-which has not been updated since 2007. In Valley Center particularly, where about half of the community will be upgraded from moderate or high fire risk to “very high” fire risk. In fact, after reading it, local homeowners might be tempted to bury their heads in the sand, engage in a primal scream, or read the Book of Revelation to cheer up. If you are looking for assurances that will make you feel safer in your home, look elsewhere than the Updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map that was released in December by Cal Fire and the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
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