Wildfire Zones: Reedley vs Selma
How do wildfire zones rules compare between Reedley, CA and Selma, CA?
Reedley and Selma have similar restriction levels.
Reedley, CA
Fresno County
Reedley is not in a CAL FIRE High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. The city sits on flat valley floor surrounded by irrigated farmland, placing it at low wildfire risk.
View full Reedley rules βSelma, CA
Fresno County
Selma is located on the flat agricultural floor of the Central Valley in Fresno County and is not designated as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) by CAL FIRE. The city sits at approximately 300 feet elevation on level terrain surrounded by irrigated farmland, placing it well outside the foothill and mountain areas of eastern Fresno County where wildfire risk is concentrated. Because Selma falls within a Local Responsibility Area (LRA) rather than a State Responsibility Area (SRA), the more stringent wildfire building standards and defensible space requirements that apply to wildland-urban interface communities do not apply here. The Selma Fire Department provides structural fire protection for the city's approximately 24,000 residents across six square miles and follows the California Fire Code as adopted locally, but wildfire-specific regulations such as PRC 4291 defensible space mandates, AB 3074 extended defensible space zones, and Chapter 7A WUI building standards are not applicable within Selma city limits. Standard urban fire safety codes, property maintenance requirements, and building construction standards provide the fire protection framework for Selma properties.
View full Selma rules βKey Facts Comparison
| Fact | Reedley | Selma |
|---|---|---|
| FHSZ Rating | Not in High or Very High zone | - |
| Terrain | Valley floor, irrigated agriculture | - |
| Fire Code | RMC 9-1-1 -- California Fire Code | - |
| WUI Standards | Not required in Reedley | Not required |
| FHSZ Designation | - | Not in VHFHSZ |
| Responsibility Area | - | Local (LRA) |
| Defensible Space | - | Not required (PRC 4291) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Reedley FAQ
Is Reedley in a high fire hazard severity zone?
No. Reedley is on the flat San Joaquin Valley floor surrounded by irrigated farmland. It is not designated as a High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone by CAL FIRE. Foothill areas east of the valley carry higher designations.
Do I need WUI-compliant building materials in Reedley?
No. Wildland-Urban Interface building standards apply only in CAL FIRE-designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Reedley properties follow standard California Building and Fire Code requirements adopted under RMC 9-1-1.
Selma FAQ
Is Selma in a wildfire zone?
No. Selma is located on the flat Central Valley floor at approximately 300 feet elevation and is not classified as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone by CAL FIRE. The city is in a Local Responsibility Area without wildland-urban interface designations. Wildfire risk in Fresno County is concentrated in the foothill and mountain areas to the east.
Do I need to maintain defensible space around my Selma home?
The PRC 4291 defensible space requirements and AB 3074 ember-resistant zone mandates do not apply within Selma because the city is not in a State Responsibility Area or VHFHSZ. Standard property maintenance, fire safety, and California Fire Code requirements still apply to all properties.
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