Credit: Courtesy of Cal Fire In new fire hazard severity maps released last week by state fire officials, Oakland saw a significant reduction in its “very high” hazard zone and a 32% reduction in ...

Cal Fire's maps, which are still in draft form, establish what the state calls fire hazard severity zones, which measure the likelihood of a major wildfire hitting certain areas and neighborhoods.

Like flood zone maps, the assessments don’t account for mitigation efforts like fuel reduction projects or defensible space. Property owners in higher hazard areas would have to use more ember ...

As you can see, the map is based on the previous season’s map, but adds new named locations and modifies others. The theme of the season is urban and criminal, represented primarily by Crime ...