The Berkeley Fire Department recommends that residents make plans to leave the hills during periods of Extreme Fire Weather. Make sure all of your valuables are covered for replacement, such as antiques and artwork. He spent seven of those years at Station 7 in the Berkeley Hills. The app will not send local emergency action alerts, such as to evacuate or shelter in place. We love the Bay Area. 0000598246 00000 n As of now in the East Bay, most home hardening is optional, not required. Crocker described the two programs as intimately connected.. We cant outsource that 100% to our first responders.. Councilmember Wengraf told Berkeleyside that she hopes one day to see all of District 6 in the program. The requirements apply to fire zones 2 We provide the ability to download some of the maps on their devices, so they can look at them if the power goes out, Crocker said. 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 also might not. 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. All of these areas, called the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), are in the states very high fire hazard severity zones. 4. Whats the history of wildfires in Berkeley? And, on top of that, climate change is definitely here. Create a resilient, safe, connected, and prepared City, Be a customer-focused organization that provides excellent, timely, easily accessible service and information to the community. Berkeleys vegetation management program applies to the citys hillside fire zones, which are made up of two zones, called 2 and 3. 6 0 obj<>stream Leaving early gives you the most control over how you will get down the hill and what you can bring. Several Berkeley hotels have offered discounts on Red Flag days, targeting people relocating from high risk fire zones. What do wildfires have to do with air pollution? Q. Whos using Zonehaven in the Bay Area now? Local agencies may tap Nixle for follow-up to emergency alerts. Zonehaven charges based on population size, Crocker said. Want to know more about Firewise? Berkeley Heights Township 29 Park Avenue Nonprofit news. The 1991 Oakland/Berkeley Hills fire, as well as most of Californias recent firestorms, ignited when conditions were within Berkeleys Extreme Fire Weather thresholds. What should I do? Trimming back plants and trees, mowing grasses and weeds, keeping combustibles off of and away from your house and creating space around plants, trees and backyard equipment like grills. 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. Thats why weve compared information and vetted sources for you, with the aim of providing only credible and recent information from trusted sources. Donate to Berkeleysideand support independent local journalism. 0000522234 00000 n WebBerkeley Fire recently took a close look at larger hill or wildfires in the Berkeley-Oakland region dating back to the 1991 Oakland firestorm, and similar to historical research by the Being prepared is essential for anyone living or working in a high-risk fire zone. : Photos + videos | WE'RE HIRING. We all know that, for fast-moving fires, with our narrow roads and dense population, that starting an evacuation once the fire ignites may not be enough, he said. And it will be updated with helpful information such as evacuation shelters and weather. Thats always been how weve done it; its not the best, May said. Thats why weve compared information and vetted sources for you, with the aim of providing only credible and recent information from trusted sources. California law guarantees that basic home fire insurance is available to any homeowner who cant get conventional coverage under the California Fair Plan. Funding for government and nonprofit wildfire prevention is increasing, including CalFire grants, California Fire Foundation grants, and items in the states annual budget. By looking at the map, people learn, Crocker said: What zone theyre in, where the incident is, specific instructions for their zone, zone status, and arrival points when available.. But it isnt free or low-cost. These funds are being tapped to pay for the citys new voice-capable emergency sirens, slated for installation around the end of the year. Were in the same boat as Waze and Google, Crocker said. A map of the area showing the fire zones is available here. To access: Go to the National Weather Service website. During a fire, emergency responders will use this portal to post real-time, zone-specific evacuation warnings and orders. In May, the National Weather Service issued three Red Flag Warnings, which denote high fire danger, in Northern California, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Friday. Hosing a yard or anything else wont help. In the past five years, California has experienced not only the largest wildfires in our recorded history, but some of the most destructive, Chief Daniel Berlant, a deputy director for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, said during an event last week that was organized by Sen. Alex Padillas office. 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. HWIe UoV`3xF,k;CdDwDTW}NKe|++| The startup team behind Zonehaven, which had close ties with first responders, was motivated by Californias recent and tragic fires, Crocker said. Thousands of homes were destroyed in recent California fires, with many people discovering they didnt have enough coverage. %%EOF Original post, June 1: If Berkeley police and fire get their way, city residents will soon have another number etched in their memory cells, along with phone, address and date of birth. However, the California Fire Marshall sets codes for home hardening materials and practices. Agenda & Minutes. Clearing brush and trees 10 feet back from roadways and ensuring fire access roads are not obstructed. Text shelter and your zipcode to receive a list of emergency shelters near you. 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. At the same time, weather and fire are unpredictable. As risks for wildfire increase, so too does legislation to address the consequences. Area Map - Google Maps. This includes active or recent signs of campfire, candles, stoves and lamps. How can I volunteer to help with others wildfire needs? 0 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. What if I want to protect my home? We rounded up a few you should know about ahead of time. Youll receive WEA alerts even if youre on or using your phone, since theyre broadcast on a special channel. 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. The science of home hardening, the development of new materials and techniques to resist fire, is a fast-moving field. This year, the tax will fund more than $3.5 million in wildfire preparedness efforts alone. The Berkeley Fire Department recommends that residents make plans to leave the hills during periods of Extreme Fire Weather. Extreme Fire Weather is far more rare than Red Flag Warnings. In 2020, Berkeley had 25 days of Red Flag Warnings and only 2 days of Extreme Fire Weather. Sealing openings in your garage with weather stripping or wire mesh to prevent embers from entering. The warnings on the map are advisories, not real-time emergency alerts. If youre a renter, get renters insurance with fire coverage. You can read a version of the guide tailored for Oakland residents on The Oaklandside. Clearing under and around your decks to create an ember-resistant area of dirt, stones, slate, pebbles or cement. Make a household fire weather plan. Intense radiant heat can cause combustible materials to burst into flames. Whats the difference? It really does seem like fire season is upon us.. He also happens to live there. What will Zonehaven add that the city of Berkeley doesnt currently have to help with evacuations? The Berkeley City Council is in the early stages of considering a parking policy to help keep narrow streets clear for emergency vehicles. Title: FireZone.mxd Author: AYLee Created Date: 6/16/2008 2:34:28 PM 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). The contract is for five years. Should I use sprinklers or hose down my yard or deck during a fire? Zones almost always stay constant unless there is a significant change such as new development buildings or roadways. 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. Read more about Zonehaven in past Berkeleyside coverage. The firestorms combined loss of life, injuries and economic loss what would be more than $4.4 billion today made it one of the worst fires in American history. The current maps show the probability of wildfire in a given area by assessing vegetation, fire history and topography, since steeper slopes have higher fire risk. My power just went out. Are we going to fight this or evacuate?. For driving routes, focus on main roads that connect with major streets and highways. 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. Zonehaven maps include arrival points, which may change quickly depending on the incident. If those things go down, there are things that dont work anymore. But the board overseeing the district has identified wildland fire prevention as a primary goal. The cost of insurance if you can get it is challenging or prohibitive for some family budgets. 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 When do I need to wear a mask or stay indoors? Most phones made after 2012 are WEA-capable, but confirm your phones capability with your wireless phone provider. 0000362692 00000 n Arrival points can be a temporary evacuation place or longer term. If you live in Fire Zone 2 or 3 (the Berkeley hills) ,the Berkeley Fire Department recommends that you leave during Extreme Fire Weather, before a fire starts. Leaving early gives you the most control over how you will get down the hill and what you can bring. Fires that spread under Extreme Fire Weather conditions can quickly become catastrophic. An arrival place could be a community center, shelter, place to receive hotel vouchers, or meet up with your friends and family. And a herd of thousands of cattle, sheep and goats munch their way toward greater fire safety. Many chronic pain conditions are part of a larger syndrome such as fibromyalgia. No mulch and limited plants. Q. Its well known, for example, that summer lightning storms over the Sierra Nevada start fires. Zonehaven is a digital application or software for use on a smartphone, computer or tablet. Other improvements, like using fire resistant materials for your roof and siding, can add up to thousands of dollars. This means removing or limiting as much flammable or combustible vegetation and other materials from around your house as possible. Contact Us. 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. Once again, the recommendation is creating or maintaining a defensible space. Learn what they mean so you can take appropriate action to protect yourself. Protect yourself and your family. The fire started in a grassy hillside lot in Berkeley, near the Caldecott Tunnel and Oakland border. What should I do if I get trapped during a fire? They question the sufficiency of evacuation planning. 2023 This is different from many surrounding communities outside of the fog belt, which face months-long continual extreme fire danger. In the Bay Areas moist summer fog belt, the East Bays wildland fire risk tends to concentrate during dry, warm, windy conditions. The fear is that fires starting in dry open space will spread quickly over the urban interface into densely populated areas with woodsy yards, homes and other structures. What if Im unhoused or know people who are in my area? Donate to Berkeleysideand support independent local journalism. Chin repeatedly emphasized that hillside residents must not wait until wildfire strikes to take action. Fire officials reminded meeting attendees about the citys fire fuel chipper and debris bin programs, designed to help community members dispose of plant materials. What should I do? WebBerkeleys vegetation management program applies to the citys hillside fire zones, which are made up of two zones, called 2 and 3. This year, presentations covered a range of updates from the Berkeley Fire Department, a presentation from the state insurance commissioners office and advice from an architect about what residents can do to reduce fire risks at home. Change is definitely here emergency action alerts, such as fibromyalgia conventional coverage under the fire! Zones almost always stay constant unless there is a significant change such antiques. Q. Whos using zonehaven in the East Bay, most home hardening is optional, not required add! 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