Under local enforcement, yards are usually inspected in the spring, at the start of fire season, with compliance required by early summer. Flying embers and intense radiant heat pose the greatest dangers to buildings during wildfires. What should I know about wildfire safety? Nothing is guaranteed when it comes to stopping fire, but research shows that home hardening steps can make a difference. In 2006, the department responded to over These maps are designed to give the general public as well as land-use planners, utilities and lifeline owners, and emergency response officials, new and better tools to assess their risk from earthquake damage. Evac has more detailed information and resources for agency planners. 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. We cant outsource that 100% to our first responders.. 4 0 obj<> endobj The app will not send local emergency action alerts, such as to evacuate or shelter in place. Area Map - Google Maps. We have to take ownership ourselves of that risk. Several Berkeley hotels have offered discounts on Red Flag days, targeting people relocating from high risk fire zones. Even if you mow, weed and trim bushes on your own, most people need to hire out for heavy work, such as removing or trimming trees. And a herd of thousands of cattle, sheep and goats munch their way toward greater fire safety. To save money, get a higher deductible, not less coverage. Zone 1 standards call for smaller, thinner and lower vegetation to prevent sparks from flying to your house. Nixle (email, text): Nixle is an alert system local police and fire departments use to send messages on crime, traffic, weather, and events. A map of the area showing the fire zones is available here. The warnings on the map are advisories, not real-time emergency alerts. Credit: City of Berkeley. Who will be there to help during and after a wildfire? Things just go a ton faster. First responders use the program to guide decision-making around if, when, and where to order evacuations or evacuation warnings. Zonehaven provides agencies with a hardcopy paper map book. What should I do? As a result, the department has launched a new Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) division and expanded property inspections to all of the homes in Berkeleys high fire zones. : Photos + videos | WE'RE HIRING. 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. 0000001226 00000 n 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. Make a household fire weather plan. He also said that internet providers, cellphone providers, and electrical companies including PG&E, are learning from past disasters such as the North Bay fires and building backup power sources into their systems such as battery-operated generators or solar generators. Berkeley residents, and hills residents especially, should always be ready to evacuate rapidly if needed: Download our evacuation checklistand keep it in a prominent place in your home. WebA Designated Waiting Area (DWA) is a known waiting spot inside of a building for those who need help evacuating (e.g. The same goes for flammable vegetation. Parcel Conditions - to view zoning, historic, seismic, fire zone, and other parcel information. Consider purchasing a copy for your go-bag and highlighting potential routes in advance. It was also a wake-up call for the East Bay, exposing a vulnerability to wildland fire that is only growing. Its beautiful, but we know it comes with risks. The Berkeley City Council is in the early stages of considering a parking policy to help keep narrow streets clear for emergency vehicles. 0000523424 00000 n Download the Everbridge app to get push notifications for all AC Alert messages, including Red Flag Warnings. In the event of a fire, we will send evacuation notifications overAC Alert. Be ready to leave the hills when the Berkeley Fire Department proclaimsExtreme Fire Weatherdue to forecasted low humidity and high winds. When different maps are used for evacuation planning, information can be confusing and disparate. Some local hotels offer special rates to residents during fire season. Specifically, their evacuation zone. My fire insurance was canceled. Zonehaven is a digital application or software for use on a smartphone, computer or tablet. How do I protect my property against wildfire? During a fire, emergency responders will use this portal to post real-time, zone-specific evacuation warnings and orders. We wanted to go live by this fire season. Emilie Raguso (former senior editor, news) joined Berkeleyside in 2012 and covered politics, public safety and development until her departure in 2022. What should I do? If those things go down, there are things that dont work anymore. What should I do? 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. How can I protect myself from wildfire smoke? More details are available on the councils website or by calling 510-282-1265. A. 0000182011 00000 n 0000522594 00000 n Ask if wildfire prevention requirements are being met. What will Zonehaven add that the city of Berkeley doesnt currently have to help with evacuations? Ive had COVID-19. In an emergency, you can also monitor KQED 88.5 FM or KCBS 740 AM for updates. Donate to Berkeleysideand support independent local journalism. HWIe UoV`3xF,k;CdDwDTW}NKe|++| The Lamb Clinic understands and treats the underlying causes as well as the indications and symptoms. Please save the water for our firefighters, Temmermand said. 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. Whats the difference? Leaving the hills during Extreme Fire Weather provides significant protection to you and your family. Payments. It refers to a buffer zone of landscaping around a structure to give it the best shot at not catching fire. After two days, 25 people were dead and another 150 injured. Concern over wildfire response led a group of Oakland and Berkeley residents to launch an effort to form a new East Bay Hills Wildland Fire Joint Powers Authority, which is currently in the planning stage. In the language of emergency planning, the place people are directed to during an evacuation is called an arrival point. Receive periodic safety tips on numerous disasters by texting the type of event (blackout, earthquake, fire, flood, hurricane, or tornado) to 43362. Everyone else is able to load or unload passengers for up to three minutes. Update your inventory of belongings and valuables, taking photos and videos inside your home. Want to know more about Firewise? 0000520194 00000 n But it does not eliminate risk entirely. Of course, there are many more steps residents can take to prepare for emergencies and for evacuations. Every burning building is fuel for a fire, making it hotter and stronger. WebA map showing CAL FIRE's Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) within the city of Berkeley as well as the designated planning DAVID GOINES: Remembering an iconic printmaker | CULTURE WAR: Hopkins bike lane | SNOW! 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. : Photos + videos | WE'RE HIRING. Sealing openings in your garage with weather stripping or wire mesh to prevent embers from entering. Both will be available in Alameda County. I rent. During a fire, emergency responders will use this portal to post real-time, zone-specific evacuation warnings and orders. If you can save five minutes, you can save lives; if you can save an hour, you can save lives. If you are frustrated on your journey back to wellness - don't give up - there is hope. They emit a unique tone and look like a text message. 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. Thousands of homes were destroyed in recent California fires, with many people discovering they didnt have enough coverage. FORM What should I do? These factors include weather, traffic flows, street design, historical disaster data, geography and more. Pinto also described how the city has expanded its hillside inspections by 7,200 parcels this year. Aim for replacement coverage, versus cash value, which wont pay you the actual costs of rebuilding and replacing, just depreciated value. A map showing CAL FIRE's Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) within the city of Berkeley as well as the designated planning Fire Hazard Severity Zones | City of 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. Along with defensible space, home hardening, once a rare term, is now finding its way to the common lingo of wildfire prevention. Web1 2 2 3 Fire Zone BMC_1928_050 1 2 3. Learn what they mean so you can take appropriate action to protect yourself. Whats being done to reduce the risk of wildfires in Berkeley? And when batteries die, there is still paper. 0000000016 00000 n The cost of insurance if you can get it is challenging or prohibitive for some family budgets. Dont plant water hogs. 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. All rights reserved. We love the Bay Area. How can I protect myself from wildfire smoke? Evacuations are ordered by zone. Changes are immediately made available on the community Aware site, Crocker said. In July, BFD is going digital with its property inspections, resulting in online inspection reports once new software is up and running. At the same time, weather and fire are unpredictable. FEMAs dedicated text message number is 43362. Federal Emergency Management Administration (app, text): FEMA sends real-time extreme weather alerts from the National Weather Service via app or text message. 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. Why do power outages occur more often during fire season? Finally, Chin provided a brief update on Berkeleys new outdoor siren warning system, which is expected to launch with five pilot sites this summer. Wetting down decks, siding, roofs, etc. Her work as a journalist has encompassed everything from 10 years as a daily news reporter for the East Bay Times, No sign up required. You can enter your zip code or zoom in on the map. 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. Do defensible space regulations apply to my property? The closer to the house, the more space between bushes and trees. Contact Us. 0000001197 00000 n Look for horizontal as well as vertical spacing, so upper branches are spaced apart. 0000523586 00000 n 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. Being prepared is essential for anyone living or working in a high-risk fire zone. Defensible space is a term thats become commonplace with the increased risk of wildfires. Northwestern Alameda County They cite the expense of fire-proofing a house or keeping a yard cleared. Their zone. How can I find out if there is a power outage scheduled for my area? Zonehaven also interfaces with Waze, real-time GPS-guided traffic maps. You can read a version of the guide tailored for Oakland residents on The Oaklandside. 2023 Zonehaven reduces the time to order an evacuation. Note: This feature currently directs users to the map of emergency shelters on the Red Cross website and the map of disaster recovery centers on the FEMA website. What if I want to protect my home? For many property owners in high-risk fire areas, homeowners insurance is becoming a nightmare. 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. 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. This includes replacing flammable materials with fire-retardant or noncombustible options, protecting against embers and removing fire hazards. : Photos + videos | WE'RE HIRING. Zone 2 allows for some taller trees and bushes, trimmed to minimize risks from flames and flying embers. Which apps and websites can help me during a wildfire? 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. Text prepare to this number to subscribe to messages. You dont need to get personally involved. Thats the most simple value proposition we see coming out of this.. 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. Fires can ignite and spread under normal conditions. The horrific wildfires of Northern California brought attention to how renters can be impacted, including losing all their belongings in a blaze and then experiencing homelessness. Your plan will: Will you wait to evacuate after fire starts, or will you leave during periods of heightened threat? 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. Multiple (contiguous) county mapping and planning are needed. Wetting down decks, siding, roofs, etc. Concerns over wildfire are etched in the history of the East Bay hills. 0000521950 00000 n 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. Whether you plan to leave early or after a fire starts, think ahead of time about where youll stay. This is different from many surrounding communities outside of the fog belt, which face months-long continual extreme fire danger. Weve been preparing all winter long on fire prevention activities like fuel breaks and prescribed burns. Making sure your address sign is visible from the street day and night, in a contrasting color to your home. Read more about vegetation management on the city website. California and the rest of the Western United States are seeing an increase in serious wildfires, which many experts link to climate change. 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. CalFire Zone includes decks and roofs in Zone 0, calling for removing vegetative debris such as leaves and needles, limiting combustible patio furniture or planters, replacing combustible fencing, gates or arbors with noncombustible alternatives and not storing garbage and recycling bins or RVs or trailers in this area. This may underlie a historic sudden tree die-off in the East Bay Regional Park District, which is sounding major wildfire risk alarms. WebBerkeleys vegetation management program applies to the citys hillside fire zones, which are made up of two zones, called 2 and 3. 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. Text shelter and your zipcode to receive a list of emergency shelters near you. 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. What if I want to protect my home? 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. It can provide detailed information on fire code requirements for everything from a rental house to a multi-unit apartment complex. Is Zonehaven useful for people who dont live near wildland fire risks? Zones are built by local emergency planners in collaboration with Zonehaven. In 2017, Emilie was named Journalist Dont hose down decks or anything. Yet this narrow range of weather conditions is when the most destructive fires happen. 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). Nonprofit news. 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. There are no restrictions on the distribution of the maps by users. For details: The Diablo Firesafe Council, a nonprofit serving Alameda and Contra Costa counties, offers matching grants of up to $5,000 for vegetation clearance in residential areas of the East Bay hills and in high-risk fire zones. That was the highest number of warnings announced in May in more than a decade. How should I prepare to evacuate my pets? See a list of Berkeley fire code violations for which you can be cited, University of California Cooperative Extension, Read the University of California Cooperative Extensions home hardening guide, Berkeleys vegetation management requirements, See if you live in Berkeleys hillside fire zones, Use the California Department of Insurances Home Insurance Finder, Use the Insurance Match-Up Finder from United Policyholders, a nonprofit consumer assistance organization, Look for insurance through the California Fair Plan, California Insurance Commissioners wildfire resources, United Policyholders disaster recovery help site, The Insurance Information Institutes guide to wildfire insurance and recovery resources, a version of the guide tailored for Oakland residents, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Berkeley Disaster Preparedness Neighborhood Network, Alameda County Office of Emergency Services, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. Be ready for fire weatherand evacuation with these tools and information. w~5uH`-C+~GzRf(f18>}w1HiV "?kbpOqY}5$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, A. Local agencies can also create stricter regulations than state authorities. Its also about saving neighborhoods. No mulch and limited plants. Do defensible space regulations apply to my property? The first decisions they must make, he said, are what areas can be fought, potentially saving property and lives, and what areas should be immediately evacuated, to save lives. The hot dry winds associated with advancing wildfires result in rapid evaporation long before flames and embers reach a home.. 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. For more information visit: BerkeleyMunicipalCodeSection17. Please read this section carefully. Perhaps more importantly, they also get access to funding and cost-sharing programs, insurance discounts with certain insurance carriers, as well as possibly keeping your home insurance from being canceled or not renewed, Revilla explained. Berkeley Path Wanderers sells ahigh quality, durable map that includes footpaths. Given the perfect scenario in which all factors are in alignment, one could expect a significant fire with spread into the city, Roman said. All of these areas, called the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), are in the states very high fire hazard severity zones. 0000001157 00000 n Police. Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA): These alerts are sent by authorized government agencies such as the National Weather Service, FEMA, and local police and fire departments to WEA-capable phones via your provider. Your landlord or the property owner is responsible for making sure the building meets building codes, including fire codes and for defensible space requirements related to yard maintenance. Wildfire threat is closely tied to weather conditions. Theyre usually packed together a behind-the-scenes program for emergency planners and a public-facing program for residents. What help is available if I cant afford the high costs of fire prevention? Which masks best protect against wildfire smoke? We anticipate our compliance rate will drop.. The primary wildfire threat to the inner East Bay comes from the open space of the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) and East Bay Municipal Water District (EBMUD) to the east.

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