What if I want to protect my home? No to both, says Pam Temmermand, a fire prevention specialist at CalFire. Ive been ordered to evacuate. 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, In larger apartment buildings, fire inspections are conducted routinely and results must be posted on a public interior wall. Fire Zone Map C.A.R. Donate to Berkeleysideand support independent local journalism. Free for all, funded by readers. At the same time, weather and fire are unpredictable. 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. Smoking is illegal in city, regional and state parks, whether tobacco or cannabis, as are any drugs that involve matches or flames. Thats always been how weve done it; its not the best, May said. Official Zoning Map. Federal Emergency Management Administration (app, text): FEMA sends real-time extreme weather alerts from the National Weather Service via app or text message. 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. I rent. Californias wildfire season typically occurs between spring and late fall due to the warmer temperatures and drier conditions of summer. How do I protect my property against wildfire? If you can save five minutes, you can save lives; if you can save an hour, you can save lives. A. Larger buildings may require sprinkler systems and alarm systems. Do this for fences, gates and arbors especially where they are closest to your or a neighbors house. City Map - 2008. Using these methods must meet codes. What should I do? WebCity Maps. 0000362692 00000 n Why should I preemptively relocate during Extreme Fire Weather and Diablo winds? And remember to remove all dead and dying vegetation. That was the highest number of warnings announced in May in more than a decade. As a rule, landscape with drought-tolerant, fire-resistant plants. And when batteries die, there is still paper. Hosing a yard or anything else wont help. 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). More by Emilie Raguso. Make sure all of your valuables are covered for replacement, such as antiques and artwork. Why do power outages occur more often during fire season? Thats why weve compared information and vetted sources for you, with the aim of providing only credible and recent information from trusted sources. The closer to the house, the more space between bushes and trees. Wood such as siding, shingles, roofs or decks are kindling to embers and fuel for flames. Fire prevention experts in Berkeley often point to the citys destructive 1923 fire, which started east of the hills in open space but roared into downtown, to Shattuck Avenue. 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. But does this even help and, more importantly, is this water use OK during a drought? 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. The rest of the city is subject to less-restrictive ADU regulations that were approved last Nonprofit news. We will continue to have Diablo winds, which will push fire quickly down the hill. This includes swaths of the Oakland and Berkeley hills. More by Kate Darby Rauch. Some of the work is required, while some is strongly recommended. 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. What do wildfires have to do with air pollution? Check what your homeowners insurance covers and make sure its enough to help you rebuild if needed, taking into account updated square footage, improvements and current building costs (from a contractor). Their zone. 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. What should I do? It is the only warning system designated for this and requires you to sign up or opt in to receive alerts. Unlike property owners, rebuilding or dealing with homeowners insurance wasnt relevant. A. A. Do defensible space regulations apply to my property? This years extreme drought, likely worsened by climate change, is a major contributing factor to heightened fire danger. What do wildfires have to do with air pollution? trailer Zone 1 standards call for smaller, thinner and lower vegetation to prevent sparks from flying to your house. 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. 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 0000523208 00000 n A. 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. 0000522234 00000 n WebA map showing CAL FIRE's Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) within the city of Berkeley as well as the designated planning Where has Zonehaven been used to date, and lessons learned? They cite the expense of fire-proofing a house or keeping a yard cleared. Home hardening is the act of preparing your house against fire by choices in materials, construction and design. It really does seem like fire season is upon us.. 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. What if Im unhoused or know people who are in my area? My power just went out. 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. Residents of affected zones are alerted using a variety of means, including the county alert system (AC Alert), Nixle local alerts, social media such as Twitter and Facebook, and old-fashioned door-to-door warnings. When do I need to wear a mask or stay indoors? In an emergency, you can also monitor KQED 88.5 FM or KCBS 740 AM for updates. The Lamb Clinic understands and treats the underlying causes as well as the indications and symptoms. 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. Under local enforcement, yards are usually inspected in the spring, at the start of fire season, with compliance required by early summer. Its also about saving neighborhoods. City Map - 2011. Never let your coverage lapse because it opens a window when many companies cancel or refuse to renew. Applications are reviewed on a quarterly basis with the next deadline being Aug. 13. (Do not leave your water running if you evacuate. Please save the water for our firefighters, Temmermand said. Changes are immediately made available on the community Aware site, Crocker said. Its beautiful, but we know it comes with risks. Trimming trees for 10 feet of clearance from other trees and from your chimney. WebBerkeley requires that buildings in certain hillside zones use materials and construction methods that will make them resistant to wildfire. Whats the difference? 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. 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. Dont hose down decks or anything. Finally, Chin provided a brief update on Berkeleys new outdoor siren warning system, which is expected to launch with five pilot sites this summer. Her work as a journalist has encompassed everything from 10 years as a daily news reporter for the East Bay Times, A recent Berkeley City Council discussion prompted allegations of racism on the dais during a debate over the look of new welcome signage at the city borders.. 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. No sign up required. Evacuation management is a completely new sport, said Crocker of Zonehaven. The city of Berkeley is a little more expansive than the state in designating its hillside fire zones, which cover 8,000 properties. In Oakland and Berkeley, steep hills and narrow streets add significant challenges for firefighters and evacuation. Making sure your address sign is visible from the street day and night, in a contrasting color to your home. The Berkeley Wildfire Guide is a collaboration between Berkeleyside and The Oaklandside. : Photos + videos | WE'RE HIRING. This is the area closest to any structure and should be hardscaped with gravel, rocks, concrete or any material that cant ignite. : Photos + videos | WE'RE HIRING. Arrival points can be a temporary evacuation place or longer term. Removing flammable plants and shrubs from windows, and from under or near decks. What is a go bag and how do I make one? Update, June 15, 8:30 a.m. Alameda Countys new evacuation system, Zonehaven, is now live. 4. Wetting down decks, siding, roofs, etc. Removing ladder fuels that let fire climb from the ground to trees. Not to mention what to do about tree-loving neighbors who dont buy into the risks. Having adequate coverage in an area with high wildfire risk is vital. Participants of the program get national recognition for their work, he said. What do I need to know about wildfire smoke? The Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board is an important resource for tenants and landlords. More details are available on the councils website or by calling 510-282-1265. Zonehaven maps include arrival points, which may change quickly depending on the incident. DAVID GOINES: Remembering an iconic printmaker | CULTURE WAR: Hopkins bike lane | SNOW! Free for all, funded by readers. We love our first responders; theyre amazing, but theyre humans, and they have limited resources, Crocker said. The information contained on this site is the opinion of G. Blair Lamb MD, FCFP and should not be used as personal medical advice. Technology is rapidly expanding the capacity of wildfire preparedness, prevention and prediction. Berkeleys hillside fire zones are made up of two zones, called 2 and 3. Credit: City of Berkeley. The FEMA app also sends out safety tips, shelter locations and more. Text prepare to this number to subscribe to messages. WebA Designated Waiting Area (DWA) is a known waiting spot inside of a building for those who need help evacuating (e.g. The warnings on the map are advisories, not real-time emergency alerts. 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). 4 21 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. DAVID GOINES: Remembering an iconic printmaker | CULTURE WAR: Hopkins bike lane | SNOW! An interactive map displays the parcel number and zoning for adjacent parcels. Its been a labor of love, said May, who oversees evacuation operations for the Berkeley Fire Department. Donate to Berkeleysideand support independent local journalism. During any major fire, and especially during a drought, water is precious. Resources. 6 0 obj<>stream Agenda & Minutes. Learn what they mean so you can take appropriate action to protect yourself. And, on top of that, climate change is definitely here. If you havent yet heard of the wildfire plan, thats because work just kicked off in May. Whats being done to reduce the risk of wildfires in Berkeley? Keeping a small supply of tools handy to help put out small fires, including a fire extinguisher, shovel and rake. Details Basemap Measure Hillside Fire Zones Map Location of Hillside Fire Zones in the City of Berkeley Web Map by mcotterill_berkeley Last Modified: February To save money, get a higher deductible, not less coverage. This is different from many surrounding communities outside of the fog belt, which face months-long continual extreme fire danger. How at-risk is the urban East Bay to wildland fire? As of now in the East Bay, most home hardening is optional, not required. Freelancer Catherine "Kate" Rauch has been contributing to Berkeleyside for several years. There are also two other categories: "non-wildland, non-urban" and "urban unzoned." It can provide detailed information on fire code requirements for everything from a rental house to a multi-unit apartment complex. 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. Talk to neighbors in the same fire risk zone. My fire insurance was canceled. 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. Evac is a program for first responders and emergency planners and billed as an evacuation management tool. For Red Flag Warnings, we send notifications via email and text message. Along with defensible space, home hardening, once a rare term, is now finding its way to the common lingo of wildfire prevention. Many chronic pain conditions are part of a larger syndrome such as fibromyalgia. Update your inventory of belongings and valuables, taking photos and videos inside your home. Is Zonehaven useful for people who dont live near wildland fire risks? Text shelter and your zipcode to receive a list of emergency shelters near you. What is a go bag and how do I make one? 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. Your plan will: Will you wait to evacuate after fire starts, or will you leave during periods of heightened threat? 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. Ive been working on this for a year and a half. (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. 0000000877 00000 n 2001-2023 The Pain Reliever Corporation. Fire officials reminded meeting attendees about the citys fire fuel chipper and debris bin programs, designed to help community members dispose of plant materials. 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