California and the rest of the Western United States are seeing an increase in serious wildfires, which many experts link to climate change. Agenda & Minutes. For Red Flag Warnings, we send notifications via email and text message. BFD is also helping neighborhoods build up their own resilience through a national program called Firewise and working to develop a Community Wildfire Protection Plan to determine where to focus efforts first. Local jurisdictions including Berkeley base their own regulations on the CalFire model. Removing flammable plants and shrubs from windows, and from under or near decks. The fire started in a grassy hillside lot in Berkeley, near the Caldecott Tunnel and Oakland border. 0000000716 00000 n EBRPD closes many parks on Red Flag days. 0000001157 00000 n Technology is rapidly expanding the capacity of wildfire preparedness, prevention and prediction. Look up your evacuation zone now and write it down. During an emergency, relevant additional data is fed into the map, showing risks over zones, such as the incident location, wind speeds and directions. If you cannot reach your DWA, find a room with an exterior window, and call 911. 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. Multiple (contiguous) county mapping and planning are needed. Pinto retired from BFD in 2011 after 31 years of service to the city. Contact Us. : Photos + videos | WE'RE HIRING. National Weather Service (online maps, warnings): On its alerts page, the National Weather Service website has several useful maps and tools, including a latest warnings map for extreme weather. You can read a version of the guide tailored for Oakland residents on The Oaklandside. It was also a wake-up call for the East Bay, exposing a vulnerability to wildland fire that is only growing. Free for all, funded by readers. Its beautiful, but we know it comes with risks. What should I do? It is considered a temporary safety net until regular coverage is attained. Thats why weve compared information and vetted sources for you, with the aim of providing only credible and recent information from trusted sources. An interactive map displays the parcel number and zoning for adjacent parcels. We rounded up a few you should know about ahead of time. Their zone. : Photos + videos | WE'RE HIRING. No sign up required. The research also found three major fires that started during the more common west winds, which blow east from the Pacific Ocean. Evac is a program for first responders and emergency planners and billed as an evacuation management tool. Consider including living expense coverage to cover the time it takes for rebuilding. Pinto also described how the city has expanded its hillside inspections by 7,200 parcels this year. BFDs fire weather evacuation page includes a household planning tool, a video series with more detailed guidance and links to two key websites: AC Alert and Zonehaven, which provide information about emergency notifications such as evacuations. During any major fire, and especially during a drought, water is precious. This includes Northern California wildfires in Napa, Sonoma, Butte, Yolo, Lake, Colusa, Plumas and Yuba counties, as well as the 1991 Oakland firestorm, also called the Tunnel Fire. 0000445547 00000 n At the same time, weather and fire are unpredictable. Keeping a small supply of tools handy to help put out small fires, including a fire extinguisher, shovel and rake. If you can save five minutes, you can save lives; if you can save an hour, you can save lives. Bigger roads will have more space during an evacuation. And a herd of thousands of cattle, sheep and goats munch their way toward greater fire safety. Sources used in compiling this guide: CalFire, Berkeley Fire Department, Oakland Fire Department, FEMA, Alameda County Fire Department, U.S. Forest Service, National Interagency Fire Center, National Wildfire Coordinating Group, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Centers for Disease Control, Pacific Gas & Electric, East Bay Municipal Utility District, East Bay Regional Park District, California Fire Safe Council, Governors Office of Emergency Services, Community Emergency Alert Teams, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, University of California Cooperative Extension, Oakland Animal Services, Berkeley Disaster Preparedness Neighborhood Network, Hills Emergency Forum, Alameda County Office of Emergency Services, Oakland Firesafe Council, Diablo Firesafe Council, FIRESafe Marin, Public Health Institute, California Air Resources Board, Bay Area Air Quality Management District, American Red Cross, Kaiser Permanente, Mask Oakland, Zonehaven, ALERTWildfire, City of Mill Valley, City of Ross. And, on top of that, climate change is definitely here. Berkeleys vegetation management program applies to the citys hillside fire zones, which are made up of two zones, called 2 and 3. The citys map shows each address fire risk WebFire Districts: After the 1991 Oakland-Berkeley Hills Fire, the City of Berkeley established two fire zones, encompassing portions of the City where structures may be more vulnerable to fire FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map Community Panel Number 06004 0002 A, Effective September 1, 1978. Several Berkeley hotels have offered discounts on Red Flag days, targeting people relocating from high risk fire zones. -I6Ffl2K{;`YT_v2O;ON]&]dt_?qfkgK@F#o8NT"#or{M lkv7x\o^Qf\Gb%}dz|_u'7P-F]}bq2r>,_NY#b\GRNf}. Work is planned as funding becomes available, guided by the districts hazard reduction and resource management plan, which includes a plan for reducing fuels in parkland atop the Berkeley and Oakland hills. Read more about Zonehaven in past Berkeleyside coverage. Be ready for fire weatherand evacuation with these tools and information. Who will be there to help during and after a wildfire? For details: The Diablo Firesafe Council, a nonprofit serving Alameda and Contra Costa counties, offers matching grants of up to $5,000 for vegetation clearance in residential areas of the East Bay hills and in high-risk fire zones. Both will be available in Alameda County. Flying embers and intense radiant heat pose the greatest dangers to buildings during wildfires. DAVID GOINES: Remembering an iconic printmaker | CULTURE WAR: Hopkins bike lane | SNOW! My power just went out. It refers to a buffer zone of landscaping around a structure to give it the best shot at not catching fire. Do defensible space regulations apply to my property? Cutting grass and weeds to a maximum of 4 inches tall. 0000000936 00000 n To access these features, please read and accept the disclaimer on the Search page. When the software goes live, he said, first responders will have experience using it. Fire resistant landscaping is strongly encouraged. The first incident commander sets up the command center and whips out a big map on their hood, said May, who helped fight the Tubbs fire in Santa Rosa with Berkeley crews. Please save the water for our firefighters, Temmermand said. 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. If you rent in a hillside fire zone, have conversations with your landlord now about preparedness including: If you feel your landlord isnt meeting fire safety regulations or isnt sharing information with you, contact your fire or emergency services department. We anticipate our compliance rate will drop.. Whats the difference? The Alameda County contract with Zonehaven is funded through a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). Some of the work is required, while some is strongly recommended. As long as one computer has power to run the program, even if its out of the incident area, valuable information can be transmitted to first responders via hand radios, Crocker said. For more details on Berkeleys wildland-urban interface property inspections, read a mailer from Fire Chief Abe Roman, check Berkeley Fires wildland fire information page, call the department at 510-981-3473, or email fire@cityofberkeley.info. They cite the expense of fire-proofing a house or keeping a yard cleared. The East Bay Regional Park District cites budget constraints and a lengthy permitting process as major hurdles to vegetation clearing and management. only wastes water, Temmermand said. What should I do? Never let your coverage lapse because it opens a window when many companies cancel or refuse to renew. Donate to Berkeleysideand support independent local journalism. Web Fire hazard severity zone maps available from the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Nonprofit news. In the meantime, Berkeley says its partnering with Oakland, UC Berkeley and the East Bay Regional Park District to improve coordination between overlapping jurisdictions this fire season. 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. How do distant fires cause pollution in the Bay Area? You will get different types of alerts based on the current threat level inyour evacuation zone: Fires are unpredictable and conditions can change rapidly. What if I want to protect my home? Please save the water for firefighters. Seek reassurance and/or proof that fire codes are met, including the availability of fire extinguishers and smoke detectors, and that all window bars can be. You can enter your zip code or zoom in on the map. Defensible space is required by state law in high-risk fire zones and is enforced by local fire agencies, such as the Berkeley Fire Department. Removing lower tree branches at least 10 feet from the ground. Area Map - Google Maps. Berlant said the 2022 wildfire year is well underway: Cal Fire has already responded to 2,300 wildfires, which have burned nearly 11,000 acres. City Map - 2013. A. The nine-month process will be collaborative, Pinto said, with a new online hub set to launch in late July, as well as public meetings in August, September and December before the citys Disaster and Fire Safety Commission. CalFire sets the gold standard of defensible space. Currently, the Berkeley Fire Department currently has divided the city into Fire Zones 1, 2, and 3, designated in order of ascending fire risk. for those who cannot use the stairs). WebIn 2007, CAL FIRE classified areas within its state firefighting responsibility area (SRA) as belonging to one of several fire hazard severity classifications: moderate fire severity hazard (yellow on map), high fire severity hazard (orange), very high fire severity hazard (red), and unzoned (gray). (Do not leave your water running if you evacuate. Maintaining your yard is not just about saving your home. Aware is a community portal with evacuation updates and prevention tools. The Berkeley Fire Department has proudly served the Berkeley community since 1904 and continues to build a strong bond with the people we serve. The department aims to be recognized as a leader that responds effectively with well-trained and compassionate professionals. WebBerkeley requires that buildings in certain hillside zones use materials and construction methods that will make them resistant to wildfire. In July, BFD is going digital with its property inspections, resulting in online inspection reports once new software is up and Intense radiant heat can cause combustible materials to burst into flames. Web1 2 2 3 Fire Zone BMC_1928_050 1 2 3. Some of these efforts are still active today, and excellent resources for tenants. What will Zonehaven add that the city of Berkeley doesnt currently have to help with evacuations? These funds are being tapped to pay for the citys new voice-capable emergency sirens, slated for installation around the end of the year. Fire fuel chipper program kicks off June 6. Visit the Community GIS Portal to search development conditions, building permit history, or zoning designation for a specific address or parcel number in the City Many chronic pain conditions are part of a larger syndrome such as fibromyalgia. Thats the most simple value proposition we see coming out of this.. This response can move slowly, compared with the impacts of drought, heat, wind and dense, dry vegetation in fire prone areas. DAVID GOINES: Remembering an iconic printmaker | CULTURE WAR: Hopkins bike lane | SNOW! Wood such as siding, shingles, roofs or decks are kindling to embers and fuel for flames. Consider purchasing a copy for your go-bag and highlighting potential routes in advance. What do I need to know about wildfire smoke? When different maps are used for evacuation planning, information can be confusing and disparate. Some laws have been adopted, including: Learn more about the new state laws in updates from Nolo Press and the Public Policy Institute of California. 2001-2023 The Pain Reliever Corporation. Check the citys Office of Emergency Services website for resources. From a DWA, call 911 (510-642-3333 via cell) for assistance. People often point to a 1923 Berkeley fire that started in Wildcat Canyon, and spread as far as Shattuck Avenue, downtown, as evidence of just how far downhill wildfires can travel. Title: FireZone.mxd Author: AYLee Created Date: 6/16/2008 2:34:28 PM As soon as the program is live, you can enter your address, Sign up for Alameda County emergency alerts, or, Repopulation takes longer than evacuations (five days to evacuate, several months to recover). Learn more about Berkeleys green building requirements. Berkeley requires that buildings in certain hillside zones use materials and construction methods that will make them resistant to wildfire. The requirements apply to fire zones 2 and 3. Look up which fire zone your property is by searching for your address in the parcel conditions map. 0000520194 00000 n 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. 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. In July, BFD is going digital with its property inspections, resulting in online inspection reports once new software is up and running. Covering all chimneys and vents leading into the home. But most emergency planners feel strongly that you should do all you can to make your property more defensible, even with the unknown. What should I do if I get trapped during a fire? 0000523208 00000 n 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. This includes replacing flammable materials with fire-retardant or noncombustible options, protecting against embers and removing fire hazards. Once you reach the Property Summary page for a subject property, click on either: Connect with us online, by phone, or in person. Want to know more about Firewise? 0000272368 00000 n Simons. Larger buildings may require sprinkler systems and alarm systems. To help the community adapt, the Berkeley Fire Department is working to develop a new wildfire mitigation roadmap, dubbed the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). Berkeley Heights Township 29 Park Avenue 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 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). They blow from northeast to southwest, a switch from the Bay Areas usual winds, which come off the ocean. 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. 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