State firefighters are taking on the colossal task this year of updating maps that highlight the most fire-prone areas in California.
Fire officials in Marin say the maps, last updated more than a decade ago, are a helpful planning resource. But in California’s current climate, some say, those projections aren’t as relevant as they once were — the whole state is susceptible to flames.
Fueled by extreme winds and dry conditions, California in recent years has experienced many of the largest, most destructive wildfires in the state’s history. Some of those infernos have pushed deep into urban areas, which means nearly everybody is at risk, said Daniel Berlant, an assistant deputy director with the state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Cal Fire’s high-hazard projection maps mandate management techniques in California’s most flammable regions.