The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection last month released expanded fire hazard maps, which impact areas of Beverly Hills. The Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps  help communities and property owners prepare for wildfires.

The maps have expanded the area of the fire hazard severity zones. While Beverly Hills must adopt the maps, the city cannot reduce the zones identified. Consequently, over the next several months, the city of Beverly Hills will schedule community meetings to gather public input before adopting the maps to make sure that all questions and concerns can be addressed.

In determining the map boundaries, Cal Fire considered fire history, vegetation, terrain, weather patterns and other fire severity factors such as ember cast. The maps do not address risk and therefore homeowner mitigation efforts can significantly reduce the risk to personal property.

The map is broken down into three zones: very high, high and moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Properties that fall within the very high zone may require additional code compliance as recommended by the state fire marshal.

The Beverly Hills Fire Department will work with city leadership to manage how the maps will be implemented in the upcoming year. For information, visit osfm.fire.ca.gov/what-we-do/community-wildfire-preparedness-and-mitigation/fire-hazard-severity-zones. For questions specific to Beverly Hills, email firemaps@beverlyhills.org.