Draft Wildfire Hazard Maps Available for Review and Comment

Published on March 23, 2025

Pursuant to California Government Code § 51178.5, the City of Albany is giving notice that draft wildfire Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) Maps for San Francisco Bay and Coastal areas of Northern California, including the City of Albany, are now available for public review. The City of Albany is required to ensure the community has the opportunity to review and provide feedback on the draft FHSZ maps.

To view the maps, please visit the CalFire web page at https://osfm.fire.ca.gov/what-we-do/community-wildfire-preparedness-and-mitigation/fire-hazard-severity-zones/fire-hazard-severity-zones-maps. To view the maps in-person, please visit the City of Albany Fire Department at 1000 San Pablo Avenue.

The fire hazard maps have been created by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) under the direction of the State Fire Marshal. Areas of the City are categorized as “Moderate,” “High,” or “Very High” Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Cal Fire uses a methodology that is based on terrain, vegetation, fire history, potential weather conditions, proximity to wildlands, and ember cast computer modeling. The draft FHSZ maps indicate that wildfire hazard in Albany is less than “moderate.”

City of Albany staff is preparing to make a recommendation to the City Council that wildfire hazards in Albany are greater than indicated on the draft FHSZ maps, and that more stringent wildfire standards should be considered. If adopted by the City Council, property owners in designated areas could be required to comply with more stringent building codes and property maintenance requirements. In addition, property sellers could be required to disclose hazard designation and submit to a defensible space inspection by the City prior to the close of escrow.

The City is required to submit an approved ordinance to the State Fire Marshal no later than June 24, 2025. Members of the community that wish to provide feedback to the City of Albany are requested to provide comments to the City Council no later than June 2, 2025. Comments may be submitted by email to albanyfire@albanyca.org.

View Maps