At the same time, weather and fire are unpredictable. Khin Chin, BFDs emergency services coordinator, closed out the departments presentation in May by reminding residents about key resources they can use to help them stay safe. How can I volunteer to help with others wildfire needs? Its a community-building project working with your neighbors, Assistant Berkeley Fire Chief Kevin Revilla, another BFD veteran and retiree who has returned to help with the citys expanded wildfire efforts, said at the May meeting. Wind speed, wind direction and relative humidity determine a vegetation fires behavior. Fire fuel chipper program kicks off June 6. We know we have big challenges ahead, Roman said. But it represents a breed of particularly destructive urban-rural-suburban wildfires that feed on dry, thick residential landscaping and open space, mixed with dense houses and other structures, many of them wood. Under local enforcement, yards are usually inspected in the spring, at the start of fire season, with compliance required by early summer. In Oakland and Berkeley, steep hills and narrow streets add significant challenges for firefighters and evacuation. 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. But it does not eliminate risk entirely. Protect yourself and your family. No city of Berkeley funds are being used, May said. Evac is a program for first responders and emergency planners and billed as an evacuation management tool. Changes are immediately made available on the community Aware site, Crocker said. What will Zonehaven add that the city of Berkeley doesnt currently have to help with evacuations? You dont need to get personally involved. A. Santa Cruz, Santa Clara and San Mateo counties used Zonehaven, to different extents, during the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire and the post-fire debris flow hazards. A relatively recent jump in fires around the San Francisco Bay shoreline and adjacent freeways and railroad tracks, linked largely to encampments, poses risks to immediate structures and open space. We anticipate our compliance rate will drop.. The utility is under intense legal and public pressure to improve the condition and maintenance of its infrastructure, having been charged with several serious fire-related safety violations, including being convicted of starting the deadly 2018 Camp Fire in Butte County which killed 84 people. During any major fire, and especially during a drought, water is precious. Free for all, funded by readers. : Photos + videos | WE'RE HIRING. Another new program that began in Berkeley this year is called Firewise USA: Neighbors work together to increase ignition resistance and reduce wildfire risk in their area. 0000521950 00000 n 0000000877 00000 n State and local laws require rental properties to have smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers and openable window bars. A. All rights reserved. WebA map showing CAL FIRE's Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) within the city of Berkeley as well as the designated planning Read more about Zonehaven in past Berkeleyside coverage. More by Kate Darby Rauch. 4. There are also two other categories: "non-wildland, non-urban" and "urban unzoned." %%EOF Text prepare to this number to subscribe to messages. Some of these efforts are still active today, and excellent resources for tenants. If you havent yet heard of the wildfire plan, thats because work just kicked off in May. Berkeley residents must change how we prepare and respond. The image illustrating defensible space in the property section of this guide is adapted from the Wildfire Home Retrofit Guide (publication #SP-20-11) with permission from University of Nevada, Reno Extension and the Living With Fire Program. Look for horizontal as well as vertical spacing, so upper branches are spaced apart. They blow from northeast to southwest, a switch from the Bay Areas usual winds, which come off the ocean. The National Weather Service declares a Red Flag Warning when low humidity and high winds combine for elevated fire risk. This Emergency Access and Evacuation Network map identifies roads with capacity for more cars. Sealing openings in your garage with weather stripping or wire mesh to prevent embers from entering. Having adequate coverage in an area with high wildfire risk is vital. Emilie Raguso (former senior editor, news) joined Berkeleyside in 2012 and covered politics, public safety and development until her departure in 2022. To access:Memorize your Zonehaven evacuation zone number and bookmark the map. 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. 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), Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic, Know your zone. The CalFire model uses zones around a house: an ember-resistant zone extending five feet from the structure, called Zone 0; a wider inner zone extending 30 feet out, Zone 1; and an outer zone, extending from 30 feet to 100 feet, Zone 2. What do I need to know about wildfire smoke? These natural and recreational treasures elevate fire risks for many residents, as they border densely populated neighborhoods. The Berkeley Fire Department recommends that residents make plans to leave the hills during periods of Extreme Fire Weather. A. Whats the history of wildfires in Berkeley? The utility says its also making its wire system safer in high risk fire zones, including in the Berkeley Hills by putting in stronger utility poles, covering power lines and installing wires underground in targeted areas. only wastes water, Temmermand said. A. Do defensible space regulations apply to my property? During a Red Flag Warning, keep your phone on and with you at all times, avoid any activities that could cause a spark, and be prepared to rapidly evacuate if necessary. Am I legally required to evacuate? WebLook up your evacuation zone now and write it down. Q. Whos using Zonehaven in the Bay Area now? (Do not leave your water running if you evacuate. The city of Berkeley is a little more expansive than the state in designating its hillside fire zones, which cover 8,000 properties. Contact Us. What should I do? wildland fire prevention as a primary goal, hazard reduction and resource management plan, a plan for reducing fuels in parkland atop the Berkeley and Oakland hills, See the park districts map identifying recommended treatment areas near Berkeley, California Coastal Conservancy Wildfire Resilience grant, East Bay Hills Wildland Fire Joint Powers Authority, the Public Policy Institute of California, Memorize your Zonehaven evacuation zone number and bookmark the map, Go to the National Weather Service website, map of emergency shelters on the Red Cross website, map of disaster recovery centers on the FEMA website, Cellular Communications Industry Association, a version of the guide tailored for Oakland residents, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, University of California Cooperative Extension, Berkeley Disaster Preparedness Neighborhood Network, Alameda County Office of Emergency Services, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. Agenda & Minutes. In a drought, sprinkler systems for fire prevention arent a good idea. The next opportunity will be a wildfire evacuation workshop later this month, on June 15. Most of these fires occurred during the Diablo winds dry, hot, fierce currents that typically blow for only 1-3 days a year with speeds up to 45 mph. What constitutes dangerous activity during fire season and how should I report it? 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). What should I do if I get trapped during a fire? 0000523208 00000 n Make a household fire weather plan. Temmermand offered this drought advice to those living in hillside fire zones. Why do power outages occur more often during fire season? But data can shed light on how these fires might behave and the damage they might cause. If youre a homeowner in the hills, heres what you should do now: Insurance companies have to give you a 75 day-notice of cancellation under state law. To access: Bookmark the Red Crosss shelter map, download the apps and see other information about wildfire safety. Finally, Chin provided a brief update on Berkeleys new outdoor siren warning system, which is expected to launch with five pilot sites this summer. Download the Everbridge app to get push notifications for all AC Alert messages, including Red Flag Warnings. The warnings on the map are advisories, not real-time emergency alerts. 0000522234 00000 n Webemergency shelter map To access: shelter map download the apps wildfire safety Berkeley Wildfire Guide The big picture Preparation Evacuation Air quality Power outages Property 0000523586 00000 n But the program can be adapted for many kinds of evacuations, including those related to earthquakes, flooding, tsunamis, and even active shooter events. The East Bay Regional Park District cites budget constraints and a lengthy permitting process as major hurdles to vegetation clearing and management. Our multi-year drought is drying out our plants and vegetation. 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. The Red Cross also has an emergency shelter map which is populated in real-time in disasters. HWIe UoV`3xF,k;CdDwDTW}NKe|++| Using these methods must meet codes. Local agencies can also create stricter regulations than state authorities. Everyone else is able to load or unload passengers for up to three minutes. Where has Zonehaven been used to date, and lessons learned? And, on top of that, climate change is definitely here. Taking responsibility for emergency preparedness differs based on the type of emergency, of course, but includes protecting your property by creating defensible space in areas of wildfire risk; reaching out in advance to neighbors who may need assistance in an evacuation to make sure they have a plan; signing up for alerts, and preemptively leaving your house and relocating in high-risk conditions such as red flag fire warnings. Ive been working on this for a year and a half. If you can save five minutes, you can save lives; if you can save an hour, you can save lives. To access: Go to the National Weather Service website. Thousands of homes were destroyed in recent California fires, with many people discovering they didnt have enough coverage. The guide first published on July 29, 2021, and last updated on June 7, 2022 was written by Kate Darby Rauch and Brian Krans, edited by Zac Farber and Jacob Simas, designed by Doug Ng and illustrated by T.L. The concepts of home hardening and defensible space overlap to cover practices that can reduce wildfire damage to your entire property, the structures and the land. The Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board is an important resource for tenants and landlords. My power just went out. They also might not. Why should I preemptively relocate during Extreme Fire Weather and Diablo winds? This response can move slowly, compared with the impacts of drought, heat, wind and dense, dry vegetation in fire prone areas. (No!). My fire insurance was canceled. startxref And seven of the states 20 most deadly fires have occurred in the past five years. Factors such as weather, season, humidity, wind speeds and directions, topography, vegetation, historical climate trends, land use and human activity all play into predicting fire risk. Other improvements, like using fire resistant materials for your roof and siding, can add up to thousands of dollars. Zonehaven maps include arrival points, which may change quickly depending on the incident. Some legal-watchers expect more regulations around home hardening or making your home less vulnerable to fire in the future, though funding for this will be challenging. Donate to Berkeleysideand support independent local journalism. How at-risk is the urban East Bay to wildland fire? There are currently 130 sworn fire suppression personnel. Dont plant water hogs. Chin repeatedly emphasized that hillside residents must not wait until wildfire strikes to take action. WebCity Maps. -I6Ffl2K{;`YT_v2O;ON]&]dt_?qfkgK@F#o8NT"#or{M lkv7x\o^Qf\Gb%}dz|_u'7P-F]}bq2r>,_NY#b\GRNf}. More by Emilie Raguso. According to CalFire, the states fire agency, 14 of the states 20 most destructive fires as measured by destroyed structures have occurred in the past seven years, since 2015. Controlled burns are aimed at removing the ladder fuels that allow grass fires to become infernos. 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