L.A. County Moves to Clear Homeless Encampments from High Wildfire Risk Zones

Fire Hazard Severity Zones Map (Photo – Cal Fire)

On Tuesday, July 1, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion to identify and address homeless encampments in areas newly designated as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZs).

By News Desk

The motion, authored by Chair Pro Tem and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis and co-authored by Supervisor Lindsay P. Horvath, responds to updated fire hazard maps released by CAL FIRE in March 2025.

The motion directs County departments to identify the reclassified VHFHSZs and take coordinated action to remove encampments in these high-risk areas. It builds on a 2021 initiative that prohibited homeless encampments in unincorporated County areas designated as VHFHSZs and directed outreach teams to assist affected individuals with housing and supportive services.

To date, the County has invested more than $2.6 million in one-time funds—including allocations from the American Rescue Plan, AB109, and Measure H, to support outreach and housing efforts. These funds have enabled the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homeless Outreach Services Team (HOST) and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) to engage hundreds of unhoused individuals and help reduce fire risks in vulnerable areas.

The updated CAL FIRE maps include several densely populated parts of Los Angeles County, some with limited access for first responders. The motion underscores the urgency of addressing fire hazards in these locations, particularly in the wake of recent wildfires such as the Eaton and Palisades fires.

The approved plan also directs the Los Angeles County Fire Department to assess the newly designated VHFHSZs and calls for a multi-agency collaboration—including the Departments of Public Works and Parks and Recreation, to determine needed resources, funding, and ongoing maintenance. It further outlines strategies to enforce the County’s existing encampment prohibitions in unincorporated high-risk zones, ensuring consistent implementation across jurisdictions.