HFTD — High Fire-Threat District
Also known as: Fire Threat MapTier 2Tier 3CPUC fire mapfire zone
HFTD is the CPUC-adopted designation for areas in California with elevated wildfire risk based on fuel, weather, terrain, and ignition history. The map has three tiers: Tier 1 (lowest), Tier 2 (elevated), Tier 3 (extreme). PSPS shutoffs primarily affect Tier 2 and Tier 3 zones. Building code requirements for fire-resistant exterior assemblies (CBC Chapter 7A) also key off HFTD designation.
In Santa Cruz County, HFTD Tier 2 and Tier 3 cover much of the mountains: Felton, Ben Lomond, Boulder Creek, Brookdale, Bonny Doon, the upper Westside SC, Davenport coastal terraces, parts of Aptos hills, Corralitos, Day Valley, and the Soquel-Aptos mountain corridor. Coastal flats, Watsonville, Capitola, and downtown SC are generally outside HFTD.
HFTD determines (a) whether your home is subject to PSPS, (b) whether your home is subject to enhanced building/fire codes for exterior assemblies and defensible space, (c) often whether your insurance is affected, and (d) the case for backup power infrastructure. Sunrise's service area maps overlay HFTD so we can tell customers whether they're in a PSPS-affected zone before quoting backup work.
If your home is in HFTD Tier 2 or 3 and doesn't have a backup power plan, that's worth addressing. Whether the answer is battery, generator, or just a portable + manual transfer switch depends on your situation. We walk through it without pushing a specific product.
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