Security
Fire Risk
On March 10, 2025, the State Fire Marshal released fire hazard maps that placed most of Trilogy Monarch Dunes in a high or very high fire hazard severity zone (FHSZ). The State Fire Marshal used out of date GIS (Geographic Information System) maps that showed large areas of Trilogy as eucalyptus forests and listed as wildland. The State Fire Marshall has stated that they initially used 2015 GIS maps and updated this with 2022 and 2023 GIS data. This should have changed the GIS map to classify Trilogy as non-Wildland (homes, controlled landscapes with irrigation). Instead, large areas of Trilogy are classified as Wildland (e.g. eucalyptus trees, grassland, no irrigation). This impacts more than 1276 Trilogy homes.
If your home is in a high or very high hazard rating, it can affect your home value and may in the future impact insurance cost. Feedback from local real estate offices is that while it's still too early to see the full impact of the fire maps in our area, buyers have pulled out of other areas listed as high fire or very high fire hazard zones.
In addition, if your home has a very high hazard rating, a 2025 state law will require that you follow specific landscape requirements. The law is under review and will be finalized in December 2025. One requirement under consideration is to remove all combustible materials from within 5 feet of the home ( grass, plants, tree branches, wood mulch, etc.) within the next 3 years and replace them with non-combustible materials like gravel or concrete . If this is not done the state will be able to levy a fine against the homeowner.
This is from the GIS data on the 2022 Google Map
State Fire Marshal website and Brown Area: Very High Fire Risk.
used to determine fire hazard. Red Area: Very High Fire Risk.
You can use this link Cal Fire Hazard Severity Zones to determine the fire hazard rating for your home. Go to the section: Explore Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
Correcting the Fire Map
Multiple requests have been made to correct our fire hazard rating without success.
-
A resident who worked for the Kern County assessor and used GIS maps contacted the State Fire Marshal and informed them that the GIS maps (shown on their website) for Trilogy were not updated. He has provided detailed information about this issue as well as government codes and regulations at monarchdunes.org/fhsz .The State Fire Marshal did not correct the fire hazard rating. Fire Marshal response.
-
Trilogy residents attended the SLO County Board of Supervisors meeting and requested that the Board speak to the State Fire Marshal and ask them to review their hazard maps. The State Fire Marshal position was that they do not accept requests from local government organizations. Further, on March 29th SLO County was forced to adopt these maps "as is" and there is no appeal process. The Board of Supervisors is attempting to change state law to allow a local review of these maps but so far, the state has refused to allow local review.
-
The San Luis Obispo Tribune made this their lead story on May 21, 2025. Cal Fire State Fire Marshall Daniel Berlant told The Tribune that Cal Fire used the “best available data” held by the state to create the fire maps and though some of that data was out of date, Cal Fire will not change the map. San Luis Obispo Tribune Article
What Can You Do?
Jimmy Paulding, our 4th District Supervisor, recommends that we contact our state representatives and request that the law be changed to allow local review of FHSZ maps. If your state representative doesn't respond to electronic contact, try to use mail or direct contact.
Sacramento office: (916) 319-2037, Santa Maria Office: (805) 346-1237
Sacramento office: (916) 651-4021, Santa Maria Office: (805) 346-2845
If you wish to get updates please email us at: tspcmonarchdunes@gmail.com and please add to your address book.
This affects most Trilogy residents. Share this link with neighbors that may be interested in getting updates.
