California Wildfire Map:
How to Find and Understand Your Home's Risk
Enter your address. See your fire zone and what it means for your home and insurance. Takes 30 seconds.
Covers all 58 California counties
A California wildfire hazard map shows which properties fall inside CAL FIRE's Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ). The three designations are Moderate, High, and Very High. Properties in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) face stricter building codes under CBC Chapter 7A, mandatory defensible space under PRC 4291, and increasing difficulty obtaining standard homeowner insurance.
How We Make It Simple
Three tools to protect your home. All free to start.
What the California Fire Hazard Severity Zones Mean
CAL FIRE classifies every parcel in California into one of three Fire Hazard Severity Zones. The classification is based on vegetation, terrain, weather patterns, and fire history over a 30- to 50-year window. These maps do not measure what you have done to your home. They measure the conditions around it. For historical context, see California wildfire statistics.
Moderate
Lower wildfire exposure. Standard building codes apply. Insurance is generally available at normal rates. Defensible space maintenance is still recommended.
High
Elevated wildfire exposure. Homes built or remodeled after 2008 must meet Chapter 7A building codes. Insurance carriers may adjust premiums or limit coverage. Defensible space is required under PRC 4291.
Very High (VHFHSZ)
The highest wildfire hazard classification. Mandatory Chapter 7A building codes for new construction. 100 feet of defensible space required. Zone Zero rules (noncombustible safety zone within 5 feet of the structure) apply under the April 2026 draft regulation. Insurance non-renewals are common. Many homeowners in VHFHSZ are on the FAIR Plan.
SRA vs. LRA: Who manages your fire zone?
State Responsibility Areas (SRA) are managed by CAL FIRE. These are primarily rural and wildland areas. Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) are managed by city or county fire departments. Both have their own FHSZ maps. Updated LRA maps are being rolled out across California through 2025 and 2026.
Hazard vs. risk: The maps measure hazard (terrain, vegetation, weather). Your actual risk depends on what you have done to your property. Two homes in the same VHFHSZ can have very different risk levels based on home hardening, defensible space, and active defense systems like exterior sprinkler systems.
Explore wildfire risk for 32 Bay Area communities with detailed city profiles: Bay Area Wildfire Risk Map
How Your Fire Zone Affects Your Insurance
California's wildfire insurance market has changed dramatically. Major carriers are non-renewing policies in High and Very High fire zones. Premiums have increased 50% to 300% or more for homeowners who can keep coverage. Many are pushed to the California FAIR Plan, which caps dwelling coverage at $3 million. For Bay Area homes valued at $5 million to $15 million, that leaves a gap measured in millions.
SB 429: Rate Transparency
Creates California's first public wildfire catastrophe model. Effective January 2026. The model itself is still being built through a university consortium.
Regulation 2644.9
Requires admitted insurers to offer premium discounts for 12 documented mitigation measures across home hardening, defensible space, and community categories.
AB 888: Grant Money
The California Safe Homes Act. Grants for fire-safe roofing and Zone Zero mitigation within 5 feet of the structure. Check eligibility through the CA Dept of Insurance.
AB 38: Disclosure at Sale
Homes built before 2010 in VHFHSZ must document fire hardening and defensible space status when selling. Buyers and lenders treat this as a baseline.
Check Your Property in 30 Seconds
The fire zone tells you about your neighborhood. The satellite report tells you about your home. Enter your address, confirm the pin on your roof, and see what your property actually looks like from above.
Free. No account needed. No email required.
What You Can Do About Your Fire Zone
Your fire zone classification does not change. But your property's actual vulnerability can. Hardening your home against ember intrusion and maintaining defensible space are the two highest-impact actions. California law requires both in High and Very High zones, and insurers are starting to reward homeowners who go beyond minimum requirements.
Home Hardening
Vents, eaves, roofing, windows, decking, and siding. These are the entry points for embers. Chapter 7A sets the minimum. Going further makes a measurable difference.
Defensible Space
Three zones around your home: 0-5 feet (noncombustible), 5-30 feet (lean and clean), 30-100 feet (reduced fuel). PRC 4291 sets the rules. The new Zone Zero draft adds a noncombustible perimeter.
Active Defense
Exterior sprinkler systems soak your roof, walls, and surrounding vegetation before flames arrive. Automated systems activate without anyone home.
Document Everything
A code-cited assessment gives your insurance broker evidence of mitigation. Regulation 2644.9 requires carriers to consider documented improvements when setting premiums.
See how the process works: how FireRoofs protects homes. Ready to get a quote? Book a free evaluation. Review our full service list or cost overview.
From Free Report to Full Roadmap
The free satellite report is a snapshot. It shows your fire zone, roof condition, and vegetation density. It answers the first question: what does my property look like from above?
The full $149 assessment is the roadmap. You take photos of your property from your phone. A specialist reviews every angle against California building codes (CBC Chapter 7A), defensible space requirements (PRC 4291), and the Safer from Wildfires 12-category framework. The report tells you what to fix first, what to fix later, what it will cost, and how hard each item is. Your insurance broker gets documentation formatted for policy applications and renewals.
- Fire zone classification
- Roof material and condition
- Vegetation density by zone
- Defensible space overview
Two minutes. No account.
- Code-cited action items (7A, PRC 4291, AB 38)
- Prioritized improvement roadmap
- Insurance documentation for brokers
- Safer from Wildfires categories
- Effort ratings and cost guidance
- Same-day delivery
Only if you want it.
A roadmap for your home's future
The full assessment is not a one-time report. It is the document you return to every time you make an improvement. It tells your contractor what to prioritize. It tells your insurance broker what you have done. It gives you a clear picture of where your property stands against every applicable California code.
Start with the free satellite reportHave Questions About Your Area?
HydroIQ is a free AI wildfire assistant that answers questions about your property and geographic region. Ask about defensible space rules in your city, fire safe council programs, tree removal permits, insurance options, or anything else about wildfire protection in your community. It covers all nine Bay Area counties with city-level data.
Wildfire Preparedness Resources
Understanding your fire zone is the first step. These guides cover what comes next: preparing your home, understanding the laws, and making informed decisions about protection.
Common Questions About California Wildfire Maps
Tap Your Location to See Local Wildfire Risk and Protection Options
Every community here has its own fire history, risk level, and terrain. Pick yours below to see what CAL FIRE says about your area - and what you can do about it.
Not sure about your property's risk level?
Get Your Free Wildfire ReportStart With the Free Report. Decide From There.
You do not need to commit to anything. The satellite report is free, takes two minutes, and tells you the most important things about your property. If you want the full $149 report afterward, you can upgrade. If you do not, you have a free snapshot to work from.