Look up your property’s official Fire Hazard Severity Zone designation by address
Last reviewed: March 2026 · Official source: CAL FIRE / Office of the State Fire Marshal · Maps updated: 2025
Look up your property
The CAL FIRE FHSZ Viewer is the official state tool for checking your property’s Fire Hazard Severity Zone designation. Enter your address to see your current designation — Moderate, High, Very High, or No Designation — and whether your property is in a State Responsibility Area (SRA) or Local Responsibility Area (LRA).
The viewer opens in a new tab. Enter your street address in the search box at the top left. Your property’s designation will appear on screen. If you have questions about your result, see the explanations below.
What your result means
No Designation
Your property is not currently identified in a Moderate, High, or Very High FHSZ. This does not mean there is no wildfire risk — it means the state’s model does not identify your specific area as meeting the threshold for a formal designation. You may still be subject to local fire safety requirements. Check with your local fire agency.
Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zone
Your property is in an area with a baseline level of fire hazard. Moderate designation in an LRA does not currently trigger the same state legal obligations as High or Very High — but local governments may adopt stricter standards. Check with your local fire agency for any applicable local requirements.
High Fire Hazard Severity Zone
Your property is in a High FHSZ. This triggers defensible space requirements under Government Code 51182 (LRA) or PRC 4291 (SRA), AB 38 home hardening disclosure requirements at point of sale for pre-2010 homes, Civil Code 1102.19 defensible space compliance documentation at point of sale, and Chapter 7A building code requirements for new construction and significant renovation.
Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone
Your property is in a Very High FHSZ — the highest state designation. All of the obligations of a High FHSZ apply, plus the most stringent defensible space enforcement standards. Most of San Diego County’s unincorporated fire-country communities — Alpine, Descanso, Julian, Pine Valley, Fallbrook, Ramona, Warner Springs, and surrounding areas — carry Very High designations. This designation also affects insurance availability, real estate transactions, and lender requirements.
Notes on the 2025 map update
The FHSZ maps for Local Responsibility Areas (LRAs) were significantly updated in 2025 — the first comprehensive update since 2007-2011. Many properties that previously had no designation or a lower designation now carry High or Very High designations under the new maps.
The viewer reflects the OSFM’s recommended 2025 maps. Local governments are required to adopt these maps by ordinance within 120 days of receipt. Until formal adoption, the previously adopted maps remain in effect for regulatory purposes in that jurisdiction. If your property is in a city or incorporated area and you want to confirm which maps are currently in effect locally, contact your local fire agency or planning department.
If your result seems wrong
FHSZ maps are based on a scientific model that evaluates conditions across large areas. Individual properties can sometimes sit at the edge of a zone boundary, and the model may not reflect recent changes to vegetation, development, or local conditions. If you believe your designation is incorrect, you can contact the OSFM directly at FHSZinformation@fire.ca.gov or call 916-633-7655. The formal process for challenging a designation involves submitting a request for map review through the OSFM.
What to do with your result
Once you know your designation, the next steps depend on what you find. If you are in a High or Very High FHSZ, the pages below explain the specific laws that apply to your property and what compliance requires.
- PRC 4291 — Defensible space requirements
- AB 3074 — Zone 0 ember-resistant zone
- AB 38 — Home hardening disclosure at point of sale
- Civil Code 1102.19 — Defensible space compliance documentation at point of sale
- FHSZ Designations — Full explanation of what each designation means
- SRA vs LRA Explained — Which jurisdiction governs your property
Disclaimers
The content on this page is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. FHSZ designations are updated periodically — always verify your current designation using the official CAL FIRE FHSZ Viewer and confirm the currently adopted maps with your local fire agency or planning department. Last reviewed March 2026.
Fire science content on this site has been developed with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed for accuracy against current CAL FIRE, NFPA, and peer-reviewed fire behavior research. This content is educational and does not constitute legal or professional advice. For property-specific guidance, consult a qualified wildfire mitigation professional.