Taking Proactive Steps to Protect Our Community from Wildfire 

It's essential for our local community to take proactive steps to safeguard our homes and properties from wildfires. Fire expert, Jack Cohen, who has studied the history and behavior of wildfires for over a decade recently stated in the Los Angeles Times, “I’m compelled to continue pursuing this issue because it is so solvable if we determine to do it.”

No longer is it a matter of preventing wildfires, but instead, preventing points of ignition by employing home hardening strategies. And ensuring the safety of your property starts with the immediate area surrounding your home, known as Zone Zero.

Zone Zero is one of the most effective strategies in wildfire risk reduction in our community, having a dramatic impact on safety. It specifically refers to the area within the first 5 feet from your home. Keeping the area closest to buildings, structures, and decks clear prevents embers from combustible materials, such as vegetation and wooden fences, that can spread fire.

Materials like gravel and cement encourage embers to burn out before they can build enough heat to ignite a home. This is especially critical, as the majority of homes lost to wildfire are ignited by flying embers. Effective Zone Zero and home hardening implementation reduces the chances of home ignition by removing these materials, and therefore, opportunities for embers to build heat near a home.

Analyzing over 2000 structures in San Diego County, research concluded that structures were more likely to survive a fire with an effective defensible space “immediately adjacent” to them. In fact, in Pacific Palisades and Malibu, some houses with fire-resistant designs remained standing amid neighborhoods of destruction. 

Zone Zero is the ember-resistant zone that extends from 0 to 5 feet. Zone 1 is the Lean, Clean, and Green Zone that extends from 5 to 30 feet. Zone 2 is the Reduced Fuel Zone that extends from 30 to 100 feet from any structure or attached deck.

The benefits of home hardening extend beyond a single home. Every home with an ember-resistant Zone Zero amplifies the safety of its neighbors. This means that by focusing our efforts on these home hardening strategies, we can significantly reduce the risk of wildfire damage to our community as a whole.

To effectively create and maintain a Zone Zero around your home, consider following these recommended steps.  While these guidelines are subject to change, you can explore the latest regulations, codes, and legislations released by the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection here. The Moraga-Orinda Fire District suggests these guidelines based on expert findings, though they are not currently mandatory:

1. Remove all combustible materials within 5 feet of structures and attached decks. This includes dry vegetation, mulch, bark, and wooden fences, in addition to any Monterey Pine or Eucalyptus.
2. Replace combustible landscaping with non-combustible alternatives such as gravel, rock, stone pavers, cement, or well-maintained, low-growing, fire-resistant plants.
3. Regularly clean and maintain gutters, roofs, and decks to prevent the accumulation of leaves, needles, dead vegetation, and other debris.
4. Remove all branches within 10 feet of any chimney or stovepipe outlet, and all branches that are within 6 vertical feet of the roof.
5. Remove or cut grasses and weeds to a height of less than 3 inches or less. 
6. Trim trees to create 6 feet of vertical spacing between branches and the ground.

Safety impacts are profound, so residents are encouraged to create a defensible space and maintain a Zone Zero around their property. While it is anticipated that the regulations would apply to new construction upon taking effect, requirements for existing homes would likely be phased in over three years to allow homeowners to prepare and prioritize mitigations and secure financial assistance.

Residents can explore additional home hardening strategies and mitigations against embers and flames. Stay tuned for more Zone Zero information and additional home hardening guidance.

A Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) is an area classified by CAL FIRE based on the potential for wildfires, developed using a science-based and field-tested model. The devastating 1991 Oakland Hills firestorm, also known as the Tunnel Fire, led to the creation of the Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps in California, prompting the recognition of these areas and strategies to reduce wildfire risks.

These zones are categorized based on their potential for wildfires and are classified into Moderate, High, and Very High Fire Hazard Severity levels. Many factors are considered such as fire history, predicted flame length, blowing embers, terrain, and existing and potential fuel, such as natural vegetation. 

Knowing your zone classification helps you take appropriate actions to mitigate fire hazards around your property.  In February 2025, new Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps were released by CAL FIRE, identifying new areas where properties will be required to adhere to more restrictive building standards and defensible space requirements. 

Below are links to the latest 2025 Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) maps for Moraga, Orinda, and the Moraga-Orinda area, as well as previous maps from 2020 and 2009. The 2020 WUI-FA map reflects the Local Responsibility Area 2007 CAL FIRE Draft Maps that were used to create the 2020 WUI Declarations, while the 2009 map provides an earlier reference for fire hazard designations. These maps allow residents to compare past and present fire hazard classifications and understand changes in fire risk over time. 

Link to pdf of 2025 Moraga FHSZ Map

Link to pdf of 2025 Orinda FHSZ Map

Link to pdf of 2025 Moraga-Orinda FHSZ Map 

Link to pdf of 2020 MOFD WUI Fire Area Designation 

Link to pdf of 2009 Moraga-Orinda FHSZ Map

Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) Update – Public Comment Opportunity

The Moraga-Orinda Fire Protection District (MOFD) has made the latest Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) maps for our Local Responsibility Area (LRA) available for public review and comment.  The public comment period is open effective February 28, 2025, allowing community members to review the updated maps and provide feedback.  

To review the 2025 FHSZ maps and submit comments, visit our FHSZ Public Comment Page:  www.mofd.org/Fire-Hazard-Zone-Map

By taking these steps, and embracing home hardening strategies such as Zone Zero, we can collectively work towards creating a safer environment for all residents. Let's commit to protecting our homes and our community from the devastating effects of wildfires. 

• Explore more home hardening elements from CAL FIRE to make your home wildfire-ready
• Learn about fire-smart landscaping from CAL FIRE
• Further understand Zone Zero from NFPA

Explore these free resources 

• Free Wildfire Safety Home Assessment Request
• Free Ember-Resistant Vent Screens Request
• Free Gutter Guard Request
• Free Brush Chipping Service Request
• Free Invasive Broom Puller or Weed Wrench Request
• Reimbursement Request for Ember-Resistant Vents