Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
California's New Fire Hazard Map Is Out
California has released new fire hazard maps for the first time since 2017.
(
Courtesy California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
)
Topline:
After more than a decade, the Office of the State Fire Marshal just released its latest version of its Fire Hazard Severity Zone map, making it available for public comment. The map shows what Californians already know: our fire hazard has increased across the state, in part due to climate change.
Why it matters: This map was last updated in 2007. Since then we've seen the largest, most destructive, and deadly fires on record, and this new map shows that the frequency and severity of wildfires has worsened in lots of areas. This map is important because it acts as an official, publicly available record, of the likelihood that an area will get hit by wildfire.
View the map: It's available on Cal Fire's website. You can use the slider to see which areas have changed.
Support for LAist comes from
The map's limitations: This map only includes updates to State Responsibility Areas. So places like Coffey Park, which burned down in Sonoma's 2017 Tubbs Fire, are not rated as very high risk because it's in a Local Responsibility Area. Those areas still need to be updated.
What's next: The public comment period will be open for two months. After the new map is adopted, the process of updating fire hazard in Local Responsibility Areas will move forward.
Go deeper: We go deep on this issue — and why you'd even bother rebuilding in a town that's burned down before — in Episode 7 of The Big Burn podcast.
Listen
• 32:48
The Big Burn: The Southern California Problem
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding. -
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/45c201e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3894+0+0/resize/786x486!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist