HEADLINES. SEND STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE. WELL, CHANGES COULD BE COMING TO LOCAL BUILDING CODES IN YOUR AREA AS THE STATE HAS UPDATED ITS FIRE HAZARD ZONES. CAL FIRE IS ROLLING OUT NEW MAPS THIS WEEK, SHOWING THE ZONES THAT ARE UPDATED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN A DECADE. WE HAVE TEAM COVERAGE OF HOW THIS COULD AFFECT THIS AREA. WE START WITH KCRA 3’S JASON MARKS SHOWING US SOME OF THE CHANGES. WELL, THIS COMES AFTER GOVERNOR NEWSOM ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER LAST WEEK ASKING FOR THESE UPDATED HAZARD MAPS FROM THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL. THE MAPS SHOW WHICH AREAS ARE MOST VULNERABLE TO WILDFIRE, WITH RATINGS OF MODERATE TO VERY HIGH. THIS AFTERNOON, WE SPOKE WITH DANIEL BERLANT, THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL, ABOUT THE BIGGEST IMPACTS COMMUNITIES WILL SEE BECAUSE OF THESE UPDATED MAPS. THE SIZE OF THE STREETS TO ENSURE WE HAVE ADEQUATE EVACUATIONS IN CASE OF A WILDFIRE. THE NEEDED WATER SUPPLY FOR THAT COMMUNITY. GREENBELTS THAT HELP KEEP THE FIRE OUT OF A FORESTED AREA INTO A COMMUNITY. THE CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS OF THE HOME ITSELF, AND THE NEED FOR DEFENSIBLE SPACE. TAKING A LOOK AT SOME OF THE BIGGEST CHANGES SO FAR IN OUR AREA, WE’RE GOING TO START IN PLACER COUNTY AND TAKE A LOOK AT THOSE AREAS IN BRIGHT YELLOW. ABOUT 40,000 ACRES ARE BEING ADDED INTO THE MODERATE CATEGORY, MOSTLY IN UNINCORPORATED PARTS OF THE COUNTY. LET’S MOVE ON TO EL DORADO COUNTY. AND WE’RE LOOKING SPECIFICALLY AT PLACERVILLE AND SOUTH LAKE TAHOE. THEY’RE STILL IN THE VERY HIGH CATEGORY, BUT BOTH AREAS SAW THE NUMBER OF ACRES IN THAT VERY HIGH CATEGORY REDUCED. WE ALSO SAW MORE THAN 3000 ACRES IN THE UNINCORPORATED PARTS OF THE COUNTY, ADDED INTO VERY HIGH. OTHER BIG CHANGES. WE NOTICED 1600 ACRES IN GRASS VALLEY WERE ADDED INTO VERY HIGH, ALONG WITH 5000 ACRES IN TRUCKEE AND 18,000 ACRES IN UNINCORPORATED SUTTER COUNTY. YOU MIGHT BE WONDERING, WILL THIS AFFECT YOUR ABILITY TO GET INSURANCE? WELL, CHIEF BERLANT SAYS NO. THESE SHOULD NOT DIRECTLY IMPACT YOUR INSURANCE COSTS. REALLY IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THESE MAPS ARE LOOKING AT HAZARD FACTORS WHERE INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE USING RISK. AND SO WHILE MANY OF THE FACTORS THAT INSURANCE COMPANIES INCLUDE IN THEIR RISK MODELING INCORPORATES THE SAME FACTORS, WE ARE MAPPING, THEY’RE INCLUDING A LOT OF ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS. AND SO THAT IS WHY WE KNOW THAT THESE MAPS ARE NOT REALLY USED BY INSURANCE COMPANIES TO DETERMINE WHO THEY’RE GOING TO INSURE. NOW THAT THESE MAPS HAVE BEEN RELEASED, THE CITIES AND COUNTIES HAVE 120 DAYS TO CREATE LOCAL RULES TO REFLECT THEM. THIS IS ONLY THE FIRST BATCH OF COUNTY MAPS WE CAN EXPECT TO SEE MORE RELEASED OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS. NOW BACK TO YOU. ALL RIGHT. MANY HOMES AND BUSINESSES IN PLACER COUNTY ARE NOW IN THIS FIRE ZONE MAP FOR THE FIRST TIME. AND KCRA 3’S MICHELLE BANDUR CONTINUES OUR TEAM COVERAGE OUT OF ROCKLIN. ROWS AND ROWS OF ROCKLIN HOMES ARE NOW SITTING IN THE NEW FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES ESTABLISHED BY THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL. I THINK WE WERE ALL EXPECTING THE MAP TO EXPAND. I DON’T THINK WE YET KNOW WHAT THE IMPACTS ARE GOING TO BE. PLACER COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS SHANTI LANDIN IS SEEING THE NEW MAPS FOR THE FIRE ZONES FOR THE FIRST TIME TODAY. SHE UNDERSTANDS THE NEED TO EXPAND RISK ZONES FOR MODERATE TO VERY HIGH FOLLOWING THE DEVASTATING DEADLY FIRES IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY LAST MONTH. I REALLY, REALLY EMPATHIZE WITH KIND OF THE CHALLENGES THAT ARE GOING TO COME DOWN WITH THIS. CAL FIRE BREAKS DOWN EACH COUNTY IN PLACER. YOU CAN SEE THE ACRES DEEMED VERY HIGH RISK, MORE THAN DOUBLED FOR AUBURN SINCE 2011. AND IT WAS A LITTLE LESS IN COLFAX. LOOK AT THE MAP FROM JUST TWO YEARS AGO. IN 2023. THE GRAY AREA SHOWS NO FIRE RISK ZONES IN THE COMMUNITIES OF LINCOLN, LOOMIS, ROCKLIN, ROSEVILLE, AND UNINCORPORATED AREAS. TODAY, THEY ALL HAVE AREAS CONSIDERED A FIRE RISK. PLACER COUNTY SEEING A TOTAL OF JUST OVER 52,000 ACRES IN THE DANGER ZONES. TAKING A CLOSER LOOK OF CAL FIRE’S MAP OF ROCKLIN, THIS ORANGE AREA IN THE NORTHEAST CORNER, WHICH MEANS HIGH RISK, IS A MAINLY WOODED AREA CALLED WHITNEY OAKS WITH SOME GATED NEIGHBORHOODS NEARBY. ANOTHER ORANGE HIGH RISK AREA IS NEAR INTERSTATE 80, IN THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE MAP, COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES IN ROCKLIN CROSSING ARE IN THAT ZONE, WITH WALMART AS THE ANCHOR STORE AND OTHER NATIONAL CHAINS. OUR OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND OUR CEO’S OFFICE ARE ON IT, AND I BELIEVE THEY’RE HAVING A MEETING THIS WEEK TO KIND OF JUST DISCUSS. OKAY, WHAT WHAT ARE THESE NEW MAPS MEAN? AND THEN WE CAN KIND OF START HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS AROUND WHAT ARE WHAT ARE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO TO HELP HERE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. LANDON SAYS THE NEW MAPS ARE A GOOD REMINDER TO TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR PROPERTY AND PREPARE IT FOR ANY POSSIBLE FIRES IN ROCKLIN MICHELLE BANDUR KCRA THREE NEWS. WE DID ATTEMPT TO REACH OUT TO PLACER COUNTY OES, BUT IT’S A COUNTY HOLIDAY, SO NO ONE WAS AVAILABLE. WELL, RIGHT NOW ON THE KCRA.COM WEBSITE AND INSIDE OUR APP YOU CAN FIND AN INTERACTIVE MAP TO SEE VERY HIGH FIRE HAZARD ZONES BY COUNTY. WE’LL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW ANY OF THESE NEW UPDATES FROM CAL FIRE. AND WHEN NEW MAPS FOR A REGION ARE P
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New California wildfire maps: See 'Very High' fire hazard zones by county
A recent executive order by California Gov. Gavin Newsom aims to ramp up fire safety in urban areas as new maps released by the state show more than 1 million acres are at a higher risk of wildfires. The newly released maps cover areas in Northern California, showing which are most vulnerable to wildfire. Maps from other regions have yet to be released (see further below for their rollout dates). The maps highlighting fire risk follow a series of wildfires in January that leveled entire neighborhoods and killed dozens in Los Angeles. Newsom's order, signed Feb. 6, intends to improve home hardening to reduce the likelihood of flames spreading to houses.Under the executive order, the State Board of Forestry is to speed up its work to adopt regulations to create ember-resistant zones — referred to by the state as "Zone 0" within five feet of structures in areas deemed to have the highest risk of burning.The Office of the State Fire Marshal is tasked with releasing the updated maps showing the level of fire risk. A release from the governor's office stated that under the updated fire maps, 1.4 million acres of land at risk of fire are in the two highest tiers of fire severity."These maps are based on hazard, which are factors that typically stay constant," State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant told KCRA 3. "These are weather factors. These are vegetation-type topography of past fire history, all of which really take into consideration of an outlook for 30 to 50 years." Structures in those 1.4 million acres of land will have updated building and local government planning requirements because they are now being considered either at a "High" or a "Very High" fire risk.Maps provided by Cal Fire, the state's fire management agency, show the different "Fire Hazard Severity Zones."A change to risk categoriesIn 2011, the maps only labeled areas as "Very High" if they were at risk. Newer maps released by the state now also include "Moderate" and "High" categories.See the change in acres by category from 2011 to 2025 here. For example, in Butte County, 2011 data had roughly 11,000 acres under the only category at the time, which was "Very High." The map from 2025 not only increased the acreage under that highest level but also added more than 55,000 acres under the "Moderate" and "High" levels.See Cal Fire data presented in an interactive map below, which allows people to search their addresses to see if they are in a zone at higher risk of wildfire. Can't see it? Click here.Part of the executive order also includes requiring Cal Fire and the California Office of Emergency Services to work with local, federal and tribal partners on improving the "federal resource ordering system for wildfire response.""We are living in a new reality of extremes," Newsom said in the release. "Believe the science – and your own damn eyes: Mother Nature is changing the way we live and we must continue adapting to those changes. California’s resilience means we will keep updating our standards in the most fire-prone areas."The release said the new regulations would begin this year as homeowners impacted by recent wildfires seek financial assistance and relief. California also released county-by-county data for 16 counties in Northern California to start. See more maps by county below:El DoradoColusaButteGlennLakeLassenModocNevadaPlacerPlumasShastaSierraSiskiyouSutterTehamaYubaWhen maps for a region are released, local governments have 120 days to adopt local ordinances to include those recommendations. Here is the schedule for when more maps will be released. Maps will continue to be released through March. Phase 2 will include the following counties on Feb. 24: Alameda, Contra Costa, Del Norte, Humboldt, Marin, Mendocino, Merced, Napa, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Yolo. Find our coverage of the Phase 2 counties here.Phase 3 will include the following counties on March 10: Amador, Calaveras, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Monterey, Sacramento, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare, Tuolumne, Ventura. Phase 4 will include the following counties on March 24: Imperial, Inyo, Los Angeles, Mono, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego. KCRA 3 will provide a closer look at each Northern California county's fire risk. Bookmark this page as we expand our coverage.Here are key websites that are important for all Californians during wildfire season.Cal Fire wildfire incidents: Cal Fire tracks its wildfire incidents here. You can sign up to receive text messages for Cal Fire updates on wildfires happening near your ZIP code here.Wildfires on federal land: Federal wildfire incidents are tracked here.Preparing for power outages: Ready.gov explains how to prepare for a power outage and what to do when returning from one here. Here is how to track and report PG&E power outages.Keeping informed when you've lost power and cellphone service: How to find a National Weather Service radio station near you.Be prepared for road closures: Download Caltrans' QuickMap app or check the latest QuickMap road conditions here.| MORE | A 2024 guide for how to prepare for wildfires in California | Track fire conditions across Northern California regions with our Fire Threat IndexREAL-TIME TRAFFIC MAPClick here to see our interactive traffic map.TRACK INTERACTIVE, DOPPLER RADARClick here to see our interactive radar.DOWNLOAD OUR APP FOR THE LATESTHere is where you can download our app.Follow our KCRA weather team on social mediaMeteorologist Tamara Berg on Facebook and X.Meteorologist Dirk Verdoorn on FacebookMeteorologist/Climate Reporter Heather Waldman on Facebook and X.Meteorologist Kelly Curran on X.Watch our forecasts on TV or onlineHere's where to find our latest video forecast. You can also watch a livestream of our latest newscast here. The banner on our website turns red when we're live.We're also streaming on the Very Local app for Roku, Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
A recent executive order by California Gov. Gavin Newsom aims to ramp up fire safety in urban areas as new maps released by the state show more than 1 million acres are at a higher risk of wildfires.
The newly released maps cover areas in Northern California, showing which are most vulnerable to wildfire. Maps from other regions have yet to be released (see further below for their rollout dates).
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The maps highlighting fire risk follow a series of wildfires in January that leveled entire neighborhoods and killed dozens in Los Angeles. Newsom's order, signed Feb. 6, intends to improve home hardening to reduce the likelihood of flames spreading to houses.
Under the executive order, the State Board of Forestry is to speed up its work to adopt regulations to create ember-resistant zones — referred to by the state as "Zone 0" within five feet of structures in areas deemed to have the highest risk of burning.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal is tasked with releasing the updated maps showing the level of fire risk. A release from the governor's office stated that under the updated fire maps, 1.4 million acres of land at risk of fire are in the two highest tiers of fire severity.
"These maps are based on hazard, which are factors that typically stay constant," State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant told KCRA 3. "These are weather factors. These are vegetation-type topography of past fire history, all of which really take into consideration of an outlook for 30 to 50 years."
Structures in those 1.4 million acres of land will have updated building and local government planning requirements because they are now being considered either at a "High" or a "Very High" fire risk.
Maps provided by Cal Fire, the state's fire management agency, show the different "Fire Hazard Severity Zones."
A change to risk categories
In 2011, the maps only labeled areas as "Very High" if they were at risk. Newer maps released by the state now also include "Moderate" and "High" categories.
For example, in Butte County, 2011 data had roughly 11,000 acres under the only category at the time, which was "Very High." The map from 2025 not only increased the acreage under that highest level but also added more than 55,000 acres under the "Moderate" and "High" levels.
- See Cal Fire data presented in an interactive map below, which allows people to search their addresses to see if they are in a zone at higher risk of wildfire. Can't see it? Click here.
Part of the executive order also includes requiring Cal Fire and the California Office of Emergency Services to work with local, federal and tribal partners on improving the "federal resource ordering system for wildfire response."
"We are living in a new reality of extremes," Newsom said in the release. "Believe the science – and your own damn eyes: Mother Nature is changing the way we live and we must continue adapting to those changes. California’s resilience means we will keep updating our standards in the most fire-prone areas."
The release said the new regulations would begin this year as homeowners impacted by recent wildfires seek financial assistance and relief.
California also released county-by-county data for 16 counties in Northern California to start. See more maps by county below:
When maps for a region are released, local governments have 120 days to adopt local ordinances to include those recommendations.
Here is the schedule for when more maps will be released.
Maps will continue to be released through March.
Phase 2 will include the following counties on Feb. 24: Alameda, Contra Costa, Del Norte, Humboldt, Marin, Mendocino, Merced, Napa, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Yolo.
Find our coverage of the Phase 2 counties here.
Phase 3 will include the following counties on March 10: Amador, Calaveras, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Monterey, Sacramento, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare, Tuolumne, Ventura.
Phase 4 will include the following counties on March 24: Imperial, Inyo, Los Angeles, Mono, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego.
KCRA 3 will provide a closer look at each Northern California county's fire risk. Bookmark this page as we expand our coverage.
Here are key websites that are important for all Californians during wildfire season.
- Cal Fire wildfire incidents: Cal Fire tracks its wildfire incidents here. You can sign up to receive text messages for Cal Fire updates on wildfires happening near your ZIP code here.
- Wildfires on federal land: Federal wildfire incidents are tracked here.
- Preparing for power outages: Ready.gov explains how to prepare for a power outage and what to do when returning from one here. Here is how to track and report PG&E power outages.
- Keeping informed when you've lost power and cellphone service: How to find a National Weather Service radio station near you.
- Be prepared for road closures: Download Caltrans' QuickMap app or check the latest QuickMap road conditions here.
| MORE | A 2024 guide for how to prepare for wildfires in California | Track fire conditions across Northern California regions with our Fire Threat Index
REAL-TIME TRAFFIC MAP
Click here to see our interactive traffic map.
TRACK INTERACTIVE, DOPPLER RADAR
Click here to see our interactive radar.DOWNLOAD OUR APP FOR THE LATEST
Here is where you can download our app.
Follow our KCRA weather team on social media
- Meteorologist Tamara Berg on Facebook and X.
- Meteorologist Dirk Verdoorn on Facebook
- Meteorologist/Climate Reporter Heather Waldman on Facebook and X.
- Meteorologist Kelly Curran on X.
Watch our forecasts on TV or online
Here's where to find our latest video forecast. You can also watch a livestream of our latest newscast here. The banner on our website turns red when we're live.
We're also streaming on the Very Local app for Roku, Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
