Fire History
San Mateo County's fire risk is concentrated in its forested Santa Cruz Mountain communities. The 2020 CZU Lightning Complex burned along the county's southern Santa Cruz Mountains boundary, reaching communities in the Pescadero and La Honda area. Peninsula hillside communities from Woodside to Montara face moderate fire risk from both wind-driven events and fuel accumulation in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The county's mix of residential development and park lands creates a complex WUI environment.
Local Compliance Notes
CAL FIRE San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit serves unincorporated SRA areas. Communities in the Santa Cruz Mountains above the Peninsula, including Woodside, Portola Valley, La Honda, Pescadero, and Montara foothills, face Zone Zero compliance obligations. Peninsula flatland communities generally have limited FHSZ exposure.
Neighborhoods in Zone Zero
High-FHSZ communities in San Mateo County include Woodside hills, Portola Valley, La Honda, Pescadero, Loma Mar, Sky Londa, Kings Mountain, Montara foothills, Half Moon Bay foothills, and communities in the Santa Cruz Mountains above the Peninsula.
Local FAQs
Are Woodside and Portola Valley subject to Zone Zero? Yes — these communities are in FHSZ areas given their hillside location adjacent to wildland areas. Contact CAL FIRE San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit or your city fire department for Phase 2 timeline information.