Wildfires: fire hazard severity zones: post-wildfire safety areas.

Senator Durazo's wildfire safety legislation expands California's framework for identifying and managing fire-prone areas by establishing new designation criteria and creating "post-wildfire safety areas" in locations of significant fire damage. The bill requires the State Fire Marshal to classify areas as post-wildfire safety zones when wildfires burn 1,000 or more acres, destroy more than 10 structures, or result in fatalities.

The legislation modifies how fire hazard severity zones are determined by incorporating additional risk factors, including areas where winds drive wildfire spread, locations vulnerable to urban conflagration where buildings could fuel fire progression, and agricultural lands that influence fire behavior. For any designated post-wildfire safety area, local agencies must post public notices within 10 business days and update their general plan safety elements to address these zones. State fire protection standards automatically take effect in these areas 30 days after the State Fire Marshal provides official maps to local jurisdictions.

To increase transparency, the State Fire Marshal must publish the models and methodology used for zone designations on its website at least 60 days before finalizing any classifications. The bill maintains the existing five-year review cycle for very high fire hazard severity zones while adding requirements to evaluate post-wildfire areas during these assessments. Local agencies may receive state reimbursement for costs associated with implementing these new mandates, as determined by the Commission on State Mandates.