The city of Berkeley is a little more expansive than the state in designating its hillside fire zones, which cover 8,000 properties. What should I know about wildfire safety? As the East Bay hills vulnerability to wildland fire grows due to drought and other weather patterns highlighted with each destructive California wildfire local residents, government entities, land managers, emergency operations experts and first responders scramble to adjust. Q. Whos using Zonehaven in the Bay Area now? This years extreme drought, likely worsened by climate change, is a major contributing factor to heightened fire danger. We wanted to go live by this fire season. xb``b``fg``d@@---IXd0-9`s? [}A S' Berkeleyside had conversations with Charlie Crocker, the founder and CEO of Zonehaven, and Assistant Berkeley Fire Chief Keith May, who oversees fire department special operations. It takes power to run Zonehaven, and if this goes out, so does the data crunching. %%EOF The following counties have or will soon have contracts with Zonehaven, Crocker said: Sonoma, Marin, Napa, Lake, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Contra Costa, and parts of San Francisco (the Presidio). WebThe Berkeley Fire Department currently has seven fire stations, housing seven engine companies, two truck companies, and three ambulances. 0000445547 00000 n For renters, most of the same advice on wildfire preparation applies to you, such as preparing a go bag, signing up for emergency alerts, and having an evacuation plan. The recommendations regarding defensible space are based on data showing they can or might help. The Berkeley Wildfire Guide is a collaboration between Berkeleyside and The Oaklandside. Whats being done to reduce the risk of wildfires in Berkeley? Update your inventory of belongings and valuables, taking photos and videos inside your home. All rights reserved. Use these sources for the most up-to-date information from officials: Bookmark community.zonehaven.comon your computer and phone. Two California entities have published guides to home hardening: Other things to consider are replacing wooden furniture with fire-resistant materials. But for much of the public, its overwhelming. Of course, there are many more steps residents can take to prepare for emergencies and for evacuations. That includes nearly $3 million to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in the Berkeley Hills to help continue removing vegetation and hazardous trees, such as eucalyptus, which is expected to reduce the wildland fire threat to over 500 acres in and around the lab. We all have to adapt to this new normal., Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), continue removing vegetation and hazardous trees, all of the homes in Berkeleys high fire zones, home insurance from being canceled or not renewed, sign up for disaster preparedness training updates, Sign up for Alameda County emergency alerts, Berkeleys tree removal aims to set an example for wildfire management, The big picture: Wildfire danger, risk and history in Berkeley, Berkeley firefighters get $12.7M to tackle growing wildfire threat, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. They emit a unique tone and look like a text message. For evacuation orders, evacuation warnings, and Extreme Fire Weather, we send AC Alert notifications over phone, text message, and email. A. The National Weather Service also has a fire weather page with professional forecasting maps, weather warnings by state, drought maps and information on WEA-alerts and weather radios. Information overload can be an issue as you plan for emergencies. 0000523424 00000 n Much is in the works. Accessing much of this money is highly competitive among California communities facing wildland fire risks. Berkeleys vegetation management program applies to the citys hillside fire zones, which are made up of two zones, called 2 and 3. A. 0000001226 00000 n Look for horizontal as well as vertical spacing, so upper branches are spaced apart. Maintaining your yard is not just about saving your home. The fire started in a grassy hillside lot in Berkeley, near the Caldecott Tunnel and Oakland border. Weve been preparing all winter long on fire prevention activities like fuel breaks and prescribed burns. Theyre usually packed together a behind-the-scenes program for emergency planners and a public-facing program for residents. Free for all, funded by readers. Businesses are located in zones, as well. Dont plant water hogs. But that does not mean the community can relax, Pinto said: The state Board of Forestry and Fire Protection is expected to release more stringent zone zero regulations early next year that will focus on making the first 5 feet around the house an ember-resistant zone., Thats a critical area that needs to be maintained to prevent the spread of fire to your home, said Pinto. What should I know about wildfire safety? Protect yourself and your family. Wildfires are now more frequent, destructive, and fast-moving than ever. The cost of insurance if you can get it is challenging or prohibitive for some family budgets. In this video series, youll learn about Berkeleys growing wildfire threat, important fire weather terms to understand, and the steps you should take to be ready. Make a plan with your household ahead of time for what you will do during fire weather. The Alameda County contract with Zonehaven is funded through a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). Theres a growing variety of online tools, apps and maps out there, some of which might help save a life or a property. Watch the full fire safety meeting below. For Red Flag Warnings, we send notifications via email and text message. 6 0 obj<>stream Its been a labor of love, said May, who oversees evacuation operations for the Berkeley Fire Department. DAVID GOINES: Remembering an iconic printmaker | CULTURE WAR: Hopkins bike lane | SNOW! Unlike property owners, rebuilding or dealing with homeowners insurance wasnt relevant. Park staff clear dense underbrush, thin forests and remove hazardous trees. On dry and windy days, PG&E plans power outages as a form of wildfire prevention to minimize the chances of power lines blowing over and sparking a fire. Given the current drought and many cities asking to conserve water, I would not recommend the installation of sprinklers. Why should I preemptively relocate during Extreme Fire Weather and Diablo winds? The contract is for five years. From a DWA, call 911 (510-642-3333 via cell) for assistance. Evac is a program for first responders and emergency planners and billed as an evacuation management tool. Area Map - Google Maps. You can also check your phone on the Cellular Communications Industry Association website. What if Im unhoused or know people who are in my area? Berkeley Fire Chief Abe Roman told attendees that the biggest development for the department this year has been due to Measure FF, an $8.5-million-per-year emergency services parcel tax passed by voters in 2020. Participants of the program get national recognition for their work, he said. Its been done in ad hoc fashion for 100 years; it works, but its also time-consuming. This can include surprise inspections. Be ready for fire weatherand evacuation with these tools and information. How do I protect my property against wildfire? 0000000877 00000 n California law guarantees that basic home fire insurance is available to any homeowner who cant get conventional coverage under the California Fair Plan. Northwestern Alameda County Things just go a ton faster. The plan is essentially a pool of high-risk private insurers available to homeowners as a last resort. And, on top of that, climate change is definitely here. Chin also encouraged attendees to sign up for disaster preparedness training updates via the citys Community Emergency Response Team. Berkeleys vegetation management requirements include creating 30 feet of defensible space around your home and things like covering house vents with wire mesh to prevent embers from entering your home. The plan will be tailored to Berkeleys specific needs and conditions, said Assistant Berkeley Fire Chief Chris Pinto. In the event of a fire, we will send evacuation notifications overAC Alert. Explore city services, report issues online, pay parking tickets, Explore news and events, adopt a pet, visit acity park or pool, Get vaccinatedfor COVID-19,report a crime,access homeless services, Apply for a permit,schedule an inspection, research zoningpolicies, Apply for a business license,get business assistance,find bid & proposal opportunities, Attend a City Councilor commissionmeeting, apply for jobs,look up City holidays. One good to come of this tragedy was disaster advice just for renters. We are ready, Berlant said during the Padilla event last week. Donate to Berkeleysideand support independent local journalism. Ive been ordered to evacuate. Many residents of East Bay high risk fire zones say not enough is being done to help reduce dangers. Q. Streets, Sidewalks, Sewers, and Utilities, Emergency Access and Evacuation Network map, high quality, durable map that includes footpaths, video guide to making a household fire weather plan, Wildfire Evacuation Checklist Large Print, Berkeley Emergency Access and Evacuation Network Map, Give feedback on draft plan to reduce wildfire risks, Federal grants, loans available to those affected by January storms, Help develop an Action Plan to reduce wildfire hazards and risks, Sign up for AC Alert to get official emergency information. Deep dive research conducted in 2001 by the Hills Wildfire Working Group, a multiagency group formed in response to the Oakland firestorm, found that between 1923 and 1998, at least 10 major fires erupted in densely populated areas of the East Bay hills, claiming homes and lives. We love the Bay Area. Larger buildings may require sprinkler systems and alarm systems. Flying embers and intense radiant heat pose the greatest dangers to buildings during wildfires. The citys map shows each address fire risk Cheryl Miller, the councils executive coordinator, says they currently have a wait list for projects and they hope to hear soon if they get additional funding for the next few years. What if Im unhoused or know people who are in my area? Zonehaven lets us get the information out quickly and put it on a platform that any responding agency can see., The software also allows agencies to train for various emergencies and scenarios. In an emergency, you can also monitor KQED 88.5 FM or KCBS 740 AM for updates. Wildfire threat is closely tied to weather conditions. First, learn your propertys wildland fire risk. A map of the area showing the fire zones is available here. w~5uH`-C+~GzRf(f18>}w1HiV "?kbpOqY}5$qTgyqP"wkk|-`}M9 Bw,hTeakc SS`-fJ$f}Y8? Ofu?b=M#KM+5u$dvMQ{79s+u[OB;`W5_f c/Y^/p6x SlsA l>1FyZz*|JL;O=,&w, Just about saving your home whats being done to reduce the risk of wildfires in Berkeley risks... County things just go a ton faster contributing factor to heightened fire danger the citys Community Response. 0000001226 00000 n look for horizontal as well as vertical spacing, so upper branches are spaced apart in... Heat pose the greatest dangers to buildings during wildfires ) for assistance bike lane | SNOW of tragedy. @ @ -- -IXd0-9 ` s Chief Chris Pinto drought, likely worsened by climate,... 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