Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Outpost Analytics, the free California property hazard map.

Is Outpost free? Do I need an account?

It is free to use, with no account and no sign-up.

What does the scorecard check?

For any point in California: fire hazard zone (or Wildfire Hazard Potential on federal land), recent fire history, FEMA flood zone, earthquake fault and liquefaction zones, landslide susceptibility, groundwater basin priority, critical habitat, wetlands, the Coastal Zone, Superfund, EnviroStor and leaking tank sites within 500 feet, and elevation and slope.

Where does the data come from?

Every hazard and terrain value comes from a government source, such as CAL FIRE, FEMA, the California Geological Survey, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Department of Water Resources, the EPA, DTSC, the State Water Board, the Coastal Commission and the USGS. The data sources page lists every dataset. The satellite base map and address search are from Mapbox.

How current is the data?

Outpost’s data is as of October 23, 2026 and is refreshed monthly. Four checks (wildfire hazard potential on federal land, landslide susceptibility, wetlands, and elevation and slope) ask the agency’s service at the moment you check a point.

Is this an official determination or a Natural Hazard Disclosure report?

No. Outpost is a screening tool. It isn’t a legal or official determination and isn’t a Natural Hazard Disclosure report. Verify with the issuing agency.

Does it cover places outside California?

No. Searches and map clicks outside California aren’t checked.

How do I check a location?

Open the map and search an address, a place name or coordinates (latitude, longitude), or click any point in California. Parcel numbers (APNs) can’t be searched.

What does “Near a zone boundary” mean?

The point is very close to the edge of a mapped zone. Zone lines are simplified for the web, so check the agency’s official map for which side the point is on.

Can I share a scorecard?

Yes. Use “Copy link” (or “Share” on a phone). The link contains the location you picked; it stays in your browser unless you share it.

Why doesn’t the map load sometimes?

To keep Outpost free, the map has a daily capacity and each network gets a daily share of maps. The map also needs a browser that supports WebGL 2. The guides work without the map.

Does Outpost use cookies?

No. Visitor counts use salted one-way hashes that change every day and every month, and page views are counted with Cloudflare’s cookieless Web Analytics. See privacy.

Screening only — not a legal or official determination. Verify with the issuing agency.