ENCINITAS — For the first time since 2007, Encinitas is updating its wildfire hazard maps based on the new fire zone designations developed by Cal Fire.
The Encinitas City Council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance on May 21 to adopt updated fire maps, categorizing land as having moderate, high, or very high fire hazard zones, based on the latest fire science and modeling.
The updated maps incorporate historical wildfire data, vegetation, flame length, ember transport, terrain and wind conditions.
“This is the bare minimum,” said Acting Fire Marshal Jordan Villa Gomez. “Just like most state requirements, this is the minimum that we could adopt. We can do more.”
Under the new maps, approximately 18% of the city, or 4,426 parcels, fall within the very high fire hazard zone. An additional 9% each are categorized as high (2,125 parcels) and moderate (2,087 parcels) hazard zones. These figures reflect an increase of 217 parcels designated as very high hazards compared to the 2009 map.
Per California Government Code 51179, local agencies are required to adopt the updated maps within 120 days of receiving them. Encinitas received the maps in March and posted them for public review on March 25. The public comment period ended April 25.
Final adoption is scheduled for June 11, with the ordinance taking effect 30 days later.
Council members acknowledged residents’ concerns about the implications for insurance coverage, notably the addition of parcels that were previously excluded from high-risk zones. Several noted apparent inconsistencies in the maps, including the inclusion of golf courses and landfills in very high zones, while other densely vegetated areas were not.
“If I look at the old map, the golf course was there in 2009,” said Mayor Bruce Ehlers. “But if I look at the new one, the entirety of the golf course is included … it doesn’t make sense to me.”
Deputy Mayor Joy Lyndes emphasized the importance of adopting the maps to uphold existing fire code protections, adding that the city could later evaluate specific zones for potential challenges.
“We can parse some things out later,” Lyndes said. “Today, I see the overarching thing that we can do is accept these maps as is.”
Fire Chief Josh Gordon noted that failing to adopt the maps could have serious consequences, including loss of FEMA reimbursement, legal liability, and diminished public trust. Gordon also acknowledged the community’s concerns about insurance impacts.
“Even without these maps, insurance companies are creating their own risk maps,” Gordon said.
Councilmember Jim O’Hara said the maps highlighted the city’s vulnerability and the need to strengthen public safety planning.
“This map is a frightening map of the reality,” O’Hara said. “It points to why what we did last week was so important, and why having a strong support for our fire station and our Public Health and Safety Commission [is critical].”
Gordon reiterated that the ordinance solely adopts the updated maps and does not alter existing fire codes. Future updates to the city’s fire code are expected later this year, at which point the council may consider more stringent local standards.
“While these are the fire maps that we’re adopting, this is the lowest common denominator, we can always make these maps more restrictive,” Gordon said. “And so when the new fire code is being adopted later this year, we can look at how those fire codes are affecting these zones, and if we need to, increase the area of which these hazard zones are.”
