Meeting with CalFire Chief Bigelow

Three Coalition Leaders William Holmes, retired CalFire Northern Region Chief, SAFRR President and Planning Conservation League Executive Director met with CalFire Deputy Director Chief Frank Bigelow. SAFRR requested this meeting to discuss CalFire’s intentions with SB 610–legislation stopped by state-wide Coalitions in 2024–that would have jettisoned CalFire’s Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps (relied upon for decades) and eliminated local jurisdictions’ legal authority to increase hazard levels in their own communities.

Chief Bigelow expressed regret with the 2024 “gut and amend” SB 610 process and emphasized CalFire’s intention to publish the Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps for Local Responsibility Areas (LRA’s) in early 2025. Our coalition conveyed interest in continuing constructive dialog with CalFire.