Wildfire Zones: Irvine vs Santa Ana
How do wildfire zones rules compare between Irvine, CA and Santa Ana, CA?
Santa Ana has fewer restrictions than Irvine.
Irvine, CA
Orange County
Irvine adopted updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps in 2025, expanding Moderate, High, and Very High designations into multiple communities. Properties in FHSZ areas face enhanced building standards and defensible space requirements.
View full Irvine rules →Santa Ana, CA
Orange County
Santa Ana is a fully urbanized city with no areas designated as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) by CAL FIRE. The city is served by the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) and is not subject to wildland-urban interface fire regulations.
View full Santa Ana rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Irvine | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| FHSZ Map | Updated 2025, effective July 2025 | - |
| Zones | Moderate, High, Very High | - |
| Expanded Areas | 8+ communities added | - |
| Building Code | CBC Chapter 7A in VHFHSZ | - |
| Defensible Space | 100 ft required in FHSZ | - |
| VHFHSZ Areas | - | None in Santa Ana |
| Fire Service | - | Orange County Fire Authority |
| Responsibility Area | - | Local (LRA) |
| WUI Requirements | - | Not applicable |
| Standard Fire Code | - | Still enforced |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Irvine FAQ
Is my Irvine home in a wildfire zone?
Check the city's Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map. The 2025 update expanded zones into Orchard Hills, Woodbury, Portola Springs, Quail Hill, Turtle Rock, and other communities.
What building requirements apply in fire zones?
Properties in Very High FHSZ must meet CBC Chapter 7A standards for ignition-resistant construction, including Class A roofing and fire-resistant walls.
Santa Ana FAQ
Is Santa Ana in a wildfire zone?
No. Santa Ana is a fully urbanized city with no areas designated as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones by CAL FIRE.
Do I need special fire-resistant building materials in Santa Ana?
The enhanced WUI building material requirements do not apply in Santa Ana since the city has no VHFHSZ areas. Standard California Building Code fire protection requirements still apply.
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