City of Berkeley It was also a wake-up call for the East Bay, exposing a vulnerability to wildland fire that is only growing. How can I volunteer to help with others wildfire needs? In two weeks, Berkeley and the rest of Alameda County are slated to launch a new evacuation software system called Zonehaven. How do distant fires cause pollution in the Bay Area? There are currently 130 sworn fire suppression personnel. Covering all chimneys and vents leading into the home. How can seniors and people with disabilities prepare for wildfires? 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. To that end, the city has compiled a number of tools to help. Below are some tips for how you can prepare for #wildfire season. Berkeley Path Wanderers sells ahigh quality, durable map that includes footpaths. startxref Also checking that you have spark arrestors on your weed wacker, lawn mower, propane BBQ and all other appliances using solid or liquid fuel. Click on the map above to see the interactive version. 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. 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. Her work as a journalist has encompassed everything from 10 years as a daily news reporter for the East Bay Times, Every burning building is fuel for a fire, making it hotter and stronger. Having several garden hoses in place that are long enough to reach all areas of your yard, to help with spot fires or embers on the ground. Unfortunately, there isnt a lot of assistance available. What if Im unhoused or know people who are in my area? This years extreme drought, likely worsened by climate change, is a major contributing factor to heightened fire danger. How can I protect myself from wildfire smoke? 0000000716 00000 n You should know if you live in Berkeleys hillside fire zones and you should know your Zonehaven evacuation zone number. 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. Is Zonehaven useful for people who dont live near wildland fire risks? And seven of the states 20 most deadly fires have occurred in the past five years. HWIe UoV`3xF,k;CdDwDTW}NKe|++| Fires can ignite and spread under normal conditions. Temmermand offered this drought advice to those living in hillside fire zones. Theres a growing variety of online tools, apps and maps out there, some of which might help save a life or a property. We know we have big challenges ahead, Roman said. The recommendations regarding defensible space are based on data showing they can or might help. How can I find out if there is a power outage scheduled for my area? 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. Whats being done to reduce the risk of wildfires in Berkeley? The requirements apply to fire zones 2 only wastes water, Temmermand said. Text shelter and your zipcode to receive a list of emergency shelters near you. Credit: City of Berkeley. For an in-depth explanation of these terms,watch our video about fire weather. This may underlie a historic sudden tree die-off in the East Bay Regional Park District, which is sounding major wildfire risk alarms. Non-emergency or advisory alerts such as Red Flag Warnings or traffic incidents or are sent out only by email, social media and push alerts through the Everbridge app.). The city of Berkeley is a little more expansive than the state in designating its hillside fire zones, which cover 8,000 properties. 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. One good to come of this tragedy was disaster advice just for renters. Under local enforcement, yards are usually inspected in the spring, at the start of fire season, with compliance required by early summer. A. In an emergency, you can also monitor KQED 88.5 FM or KCBS 740 AM for updates. How can seniors and people with disabilities prepare for wildfires? CalFire sets the gold standard of defensible space. It takes power to run Zonehaven, and if this goes out, so does the data crunching. 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 FEMA app also sends out safety tips, shelter locations and more. 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. Nonprofit news. The research also found three major fires that started during the more common west winds, which blow east from the Pacific Ocean. Sign up for emergency notifications. Alameda Countys adoption of Zonehaven is timed for fire season. DAVID GOINES: Remembering an iconic printmaker | CULTURE WAR: Hopkins bike lane | SNOW! Its so much easier for them to communicate using the zones, Crocker said. 6 0 obj<>stream Zone 1 standards call for smaller, thinner and lower vegetation to prevent sparks from flying to your house. Lessons learned from this, and other disasters, Crocker said, include: Q. But data can shed light on how these fires might behave and the damage they might cause. In the event of a fire, we will send evacuation notifications overAC Alert. 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. Technology is rapidly expanding the capacity of wildfire preparedness, prevention and prediction. 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. Trimming trees for 10 feet of clearance from other trees and from your chimney. City officials said the evolving fire threat demands a different type of response. Zonehaven (online map): This year, Alameda County launched a new software system called Zonehaven to guide evacuations. All of these areas, called the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), are in the states very high fire hazard severity zones. Who will be there to help during and after a wildfire? They emit a unique tone and look like a text message. The National Weather Service declares a Red Flag Warning when low humidity and high winds combine for elevated fire risk. It also includes fireworks. Fire officials reminded meeting attendees about the citys fire fuel chipper and debris bin programs, designed to help community members dispose of plant materials. If you cannot reach your DWA, find a room with an exterior window, and call 911. Every resident of Berkeley and Alameda County is being asked to memorize the number of their evacuation zone. The safest place for you to be on a day like that is out of the hills.. Nonprofit news. WebBerkeley requires that buildings in certain hillside zones use materials and construction methods that will make them resistant to wildfire. A. Q. Thats the most simple value proposition we see coming out of this.. Simons. Other improvements, like using fire resistant materials for your roof and siding, can add up to thousands of dollars. These zones are active between 7AM and 6PM, Monday through Saturday. Bigger roads will have more space during an evacuation. During an emergency, relevant additional data is fed into the map, showing risks over zones, such as the incident location, wind speeds and directions. It is considered a temporary safety net until regular coverage is attained. Zonehaven is a digital application or software for use on a smartphone, computer or tablet. xb``b``fg``d@@---IXd0-9`s? [}A S' We broadcast emergency information and instructions by radio on 1610 AM. But does this even help and, more importantly, is this water use OK during a drought? If your insurance company didnt give you a 75-day notice before cancellation, or if you dont understand why you were dropped, contact the California Department of Insurance at 800-927-HELP. My fire insurance was canceled. 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. Wildfire threat is closely tied to weather conditions. Whether you plan to leave early or after a fire starts, think ahead of time about where youll stay. Removing ladder fuels that let fire climb from the ground to trees. Police. Protect yourself and your family. 0000000877 00000 n What is a go bag and how do I make one? It refers to a buffer zone of landscaping around a structure to give it the best shot at not catching fire. This includes active or recent signs of campfire, candles, stoves and lamps. Their zone. 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). We cant outsource that 100% to our first responders.. Whats the history of wildfires in Berkeley? You can read a version of the guide tailored for Oakland residents on The Oaklandside. The East Bay Municipal Water District has installed back-up generators at its wastewater facilities and rented additional generators for pumping facilities to ensure operations during planned or sudden power outages in fire season. Nearly 6,000 of the 8,600 parcels have already passed inspection. 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. When fire threatens, information may change rapidly. Evacuations are ordered by zone. 0000672504 00000 n Which apps and websites can help me during a wildfire? No mulch and limited plants. DAVID GOINES: Remembering an iconic printmaker | CULTURE WAR: Hopkins bike lane | SNOW! Which masks best protect against wildfire smoke? 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 fact, 18 of the 20 most destructive wildfires have occurred since the year 2000.. 0000523208 00000 n They also might not. Businesses are located in zones, as well. Housing Survey: help shape plan to house more Berkeleyans! Free for all, funded by readers. Leaving the hills during Extreme Fire Weather provides significant protection to you and your family. Recent developments include Alameda Countys adoption of Zonehaven evacuation software, the growing expanse of Alert Wildfires camera network, state legislation enforcing defensible space regulations in high fire zones, the push to educate the public about warning systems such as AC Alert and Nixle and siren systems that operate when power is out existing in Oakland and in development in Berkeley. The WEA system is a partnership of FEMA and the Federal Communications Commission. Were in the same boat as Waze and Google, Crocker said. They blow from northeast to southwest, a switch from the Bay Areas usual winds, which come off the ocean. 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. Look up your evacuation zone now and write it down. If you havent yet heard of the wildfire plan, thats because work just kicked off in May. Once again, the recommendation is creating or maintaining a defensible space. 3G_yX%6Es%3'OF]a{w*!(b?r%%"0r{?rN%cxh*K(^f_nD }XS}-N-'n^yh.G%/ES;Vp]j\mm;5MhI5EX0?8$u@G"7Y73PvmBs/orY@r538:/t,{:?Vtsy&YNZ|Kj7"=s59k$5HxXKe)y^Rk5UEne-fUQ-N'Ys1:z^5:4wZ r>&}g;)C#j0?P~+ eU)nqL=? 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. This Emergency Access and Evacuation Network map identifies roads with capacity for more cars. A new evacuation software system called Zonehaven is scheduled to go live on June 15. The Lamb Clinic provides a comprehensive assessment and customized treatment plan for all new patients utilizing both interventional and non-interventional treatment methods. The Berkeley Wildfire Guide is a collaboration between Berkeleyside and The Oaklandside. A. The Red Cross also has an emergency shelter map which is populated in real-time in disasters. All fires are different. 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. To access:Memorize your Zonehaven evacuation zone number and bookmark the map. It can provide detailed information on fire code requirements for everything from a rental house to a multi-unit apartment complex. State and local laws require rental properties to have smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers and openable window bars. Nonprofit news. -I6Ffl2K{;`YT_v2O;ON]&]dt_?qfkgK@F#o8NT"#or{M lkv7x\o^Qf\Gb%}dz|_u'7P-F]}bq2r>,_NY#b\GRNf}. Crocker described the two programs as intimately connected.. (Emergency alerts such as evacuation orders and Extreme Fire Weather warnings are sent out by all means available text, phone, email, social media, push alert. Park staff clear dense underbrush, thin forests and remove hazardous trees. Learn what they mean so you can take appropriate action to protect yourself. First responders use the program to guide decision-making around if, when, and where to order evacuations or evacuation warnings. 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. Changes are immediately made available on the community Aware site, Crocker said. The headache of finding adequate coverage is hard on most people affected. Donate to Berkeleysideand support independent local journalism. 0000521950 00000 n Zonehaven reduces the time to order an evacuation. Property owners can face fines and a misdemeanor conviction if they fail to comply after repeated notifications. The hazard is ranked in three categories: moderate, high and very high. How can I protect myself from wildfire smoke? Whats being done to reduce the risk of wildfires in Berkeley? Read more about vegetation management on the city website. 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! Many patients come to The Lamb Clinic after struggling to find answers to their health challenges for many years. Building Permits - for building permit history from 1991 through December 10, 2015, Creek Status - to view the applicability of the creek ordinance to the subject property. 2001-2023 The Pain Reliever Corporation. Many chronic pain conditions are part of a larger syndrome such as fibromyalgia. What do I need to know about wildfire smoke? The information contained on this site is the opinion of G. Blair Lamb MD, FCFP and should not be used as personal medical advice. And when batteries die, there is still paper. There may be overlap between AC Alert and Nixle messages, but warnings for life-threatening situations will come first via AC Alert. How at-risk is the urban East Bay to wildland fire? (No!). An interactive map displays the parcel number and zoning for adjacent parcels. But the program can be adapted for many kinds of evacuations, including those related to earthquakes, flooding, tsunamis, and even active shooter events. A. City of Berkeley Its well known, for example, that summer lightning storms over the Sierra Nevada start fires. Some of the work is required, while some is strongly recommended. A. Ask your former broker for suggestions, including whether additional wildfire prevention work might help keep your coverage. 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. 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. Fire resistant landscaping is strongly encouraged. Check your phones capability, and dont turn the WEA alert option off. Web1 2 2 3 Fire Zone BMC_1928_050 1 2 3. 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. To access: Bookmark the Red Crosss shelter map, download the apps and see other information about wildfire safety. Currently, the Berkeley Fire Department currently has divided the city into Fire Zones 1, 2, and 3, designated in order of ascending fire risk. Local agencies can also create stricter regulations than state authorities. WebA map showing CAL FIRE's Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) within the city of Berkeley as well as the designated planning Its also about saving neighborhoods. 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. (We asked for the countywide cost and havent received this information yet.). What should I do? The plan is essentially a pool of high-risk private insurers available to homeowners as a last resort. As a rule, landscape with drought-tolerant, fire-resistant plants. Check the citys Office of Emergency Services website for resources. Zonehaven also interfaces with Waze, real-time GPS-guided traffic maps. Northwestern Alameda County However, the California Fire Marshall sets codes for home hardening materials and practices. It helps us build and maintain our evacuation plans., A. Zones are built by local emergency planners in collaboration with Zonehaven. 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