Selma, CA Fire Regulations: Wildfire Zones (2026)

According to the CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps maintained by the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), Selma is classified within a Local Responsibility Area with no fire hazard severity zone designation. Fire Hazard Severity Zones are determined by CAL FIRE based on factors including vegetation type and density, terrain slope, weather patterns, and fire history over a 30 to 50 year projection period. The Central Valley floor where Selma is situated features flat terrain with predominantly irrigated agricultural land, which presents minimal wildland fire risk compared to the oak woodland, chaparral, and conifer forest areas found in the Sierra Nevada foothills to the east. Communities in eastern Fresno County such as those near the Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Forest areas face significantly higher wildfire risk and carry VHFHSZ designations that trigger additional building and maintenance requirements. In Selma, homeowners are not required to create or maintain defensible space zones under Public Resources Code Section 4291, which mandates 100 feet of defensible space around structures in SRA and VHFHSZ areas. The more stringent AB 3074 requirements, which expanded defensible space obligations to include an ember-resistant zone within the first 5 feet of a structure, also do not apply within Selma. Properties in the city are not subject to the wildland-urban interface building standards codified in Chapter 7A of the California Building Code, which impose requirements for fire-resistant roofing, exterior wall materials, vent screening, and deck construction in high-risk areas. The Selma Fire Department, established in 1889, provides structural fire protection and emergency medical services to the city. The department follows the California Fire Code as adopted by the City of Selma under Title IV of the municipal code for building and fire safety standards. While wildfire-specific compliance is not required, standard fire safety obligations remain in effect, including smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm requirements, fire hydrant access and clearance, fire lane maintenance, and compliance with the California Fire Code for all new construction and major renovations. Property owners should note that while Selma itself is not in a wildfire zone, properties in the unincorporated areas surrounding the city may have different designations, and insurance companies may assess wildfire risk independently of the official FHSZ maps.