INLAND EMPIRE – (INT) – Government leaders, local officials and homeowners are digesting the implications of new maps that rate the likelihood and expected severity of wildfires.

The maps are the result of an executive order by Gov. Gavin Newsom that aim to improve home survivability efforts.

Riverside and San Bernardino are among eight counties that were studied.

“'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," Cal Fire says.

Previously, Cal Fire's fire hazard maps only had a "very high" category. The new maps now include a "high" and "moderate" category. Under the new category, the state found that about 1.4 million new acres of land should be included under the two highest tiers of fire severity.

The updated hazard zones are not intended to assess the current "risk" of wildfire damage but take a longer view of conditions, according to the State Fire Marshal.

Story Date: March 25, 2025