A proposed map from Cal Fire shows a dramatic increase in bright red—the color used to indicate areas at high risk for wildfire. The map from the California Division of Forestry and Fire Protection designates three levels of risk in state responsibility areas: moderate, high and very high. In West Marin, parts of Inverness, Stinson Beach and areas above Marshall have moved from high to very high. Overall, most areas on the coast that were designated as moderate will move to high and those that were previously high will move to very high. Federal parkland, which makes up much of West Marin, is not rated on the map. It’s the first update to the fire hazard severity map since 2007, and it reflects subsequent changes in weather and environmental conditions. After the dramatic wildfires that have struck California in recent years, the changes came as no surprise to local fire officials. For homeowners, the new designations underline the importance of taking steps to fireproof their houses and increase the defensible space around their property, said Jesse Peri, the fire chief in Stinson Beach. His department tries to inspect every house in town and make safety recommendations to homeowners. “Hopefully with those efforts, if something catastrophic were to come through our area, the community can be better prepared and we can withstand the heat,” he said. On the proposed map, virtually all of Stinson Beach will move from moderate or high risk to very high risk. More than 100,00 acres in Marin County will fall into the high hazard category, a 33 percent increase. Another 26,200 acres would be at very high risk, a 9 percent increase. Fire officials said that homeowners in orange and red zones are required to disclose to potential buyers what steps they have taken to reduce fire risk to their property. The map will not be formally adopted until Cal Fire holds a series of public hearings across the state. A hearing in Marin will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 26 at the site of the former San Geronimo Golf Course. To view the map, visit www.fire.ca.gov and click on “Fire Hazard Severity Zones.” Residents can search by address and use an interactive viewer to see the changes between the current and proposed maps with a vertical slider.