Redlands continues fire infrastructure upgrades as new hazard zones take effect
The fire department is also working with state insurance regulators to ensure local mitigation efforts are reflected in future coverage models.
REDLANDS, Calif. — Redlands fire officials have completed critical infrastructure protections at the Helen Court and Tate water treatment facilities, as the city begins implementing new wildfire hazard designations adopted earlier this year.
The announcement came during a July 15 presentation to the Redlands City Council by Fire Marshal Vincent Anderson, who also outlined the city’s ongoing efforts to reduce wildfire risk, monitor hydrant readiness and support homeowners amid rising insurance concerns.
The updated hazard map, released by CAL FIRE in March, significantly expanded the state’s Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) in Redlands for the first time since 2007. While southern and eastern areas such as Live Oak Canyon and San Timoteo Canyon remain in the “Very High” fire hazard category, the new map now designates portions of North Redlands—particularly near the Santa Ana Wash and Interstate 210—as “Moderate” or “High” risk areas.
📍 Read our original report: April 1 coverage of wildfire hazard zone expansion
New development standards and infrastructure protection
The Redlands City Council voted 5–0 to introduce Ordinance No. 2986, which formally adopts the state’s revised map and triggers new construction standards in the affected zones. These include fire-resistant roofing, dual-pane windows, and landscaping designed to reduce fuel loads near structures.
Anderson confirmed that the city recently completed vegetation clearance and defensible space improvements around the Helen Court tanks and the Tate Water Treatment Plant on Highway 38—two critical infrastructure sites now within a “Very High” fire hazard zone. The work was part of an ongoing effort to harden essential facilities.
Council Member Paul Barich, who represents District 5, which includes many of the newly designated areas, expressed concerns about public safety infrastructure, particularly hydrant pressure.
Anderson said the fire department coordinates closely with the city’s utility division to monitor and maintain hydrant systems.
Insurance impact and homeowner advocacy
With property insurers scaling back coverage in wildfire-prone areas across California, council members and residents raised questions about how the state’s updated map might affect insurance rates in Redlands.
During public comment, one resident said he was dropped by his insurer, Nationwide, despite living in what he described as a low-risk area on Gabrielle Way.
"I was dropped by Nationwide Insurance with the putative reason being that I was in a high fire hazard zone," he said. "So my question to you as a city council is: How are you going to work with our state representatives and with the state insurance commissioner to keep insurance companies who have it?"
Anderson acknowledged the frustration many residents are having and said the city is actively working with the California Department of Insurance to ensure that local investments in mitigation—such as fuel breaks, defensible space, and wildfire cameras—are reflected in future insurance models.
“We’re not just enforcers—we’re advocates for our residents,” he said.
In fact, Anderson said Redlands fire staff met with officials from the state insurance commissioner’s office earlier that day to push for updated underwriting models that incorporate city-level prevention efforts.
Looking ahead: development and monitoring
The ordinance approved July 15 applies to new construction within designated fire hazard zones. Existing structures are not required to retrofit, but fire officials say education and voluntary improvements are key.
Anderson also clarified that recent housing developments along San Timoteo Canyon and Nevada Street have already adopted fire-hardened materials and building techniques in anticipation of the map updates.
Meanwhile, the city continues to invest in early detection technology. In November, Redlands installed three Alert California wildfire cameras across San Timoteo Canyon and the Sunset area. These high-definition infrared cameras provide 24/7 monitoring and allow fire officials to receive real-time notifications when a fire is detected—often before 911 calls come in.
The new map is now publicly available on the fire department’s website, where residents can look up their address and find out if they are within a fire hazard zone. The department is also continuing its public education and mitigation programs, including brush abatement and Community Chipper Days.
Anderson closed the presentation by reinforcing the department’s commitment: “We might be the ones in the matching uniforms here, but it’s truly a linked-arm effort... Fire is everyone’s fight, and we really believe that here in Redlands.”
