A. And remember to remove all dead and dying vegetation. Which apps and websites can help me during a wildfire? Thousands of homes were destroyed in recent California fires, with many people discovering they didnt have enough coverage. How can I reduce the impact of wildfire smoke inside of my home? Federal Emergency Management Administration (app, text): FEMA sends real-time extreme weather alerts from the National Weather Service via app or text message. 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 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. Its so much easier for them to communicate using the zones, Crocker said. 6 0 obj<>stream 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. Contact Us. Emilie Raguso (former senior editor, news) joined Berkeleyside in 2012 and covered politics, public safety and development until her departure in 2022. 0000001157 00000 n Its a community-building project working with your neighbors, Assistant Berkeley Fire Chief Kevin Revilla, another BFD veteran and retiree who has returned to help with the citys expanded wildfire efforts, said at the May meeting. After two days, 25 people were dead and another 150 injured. Were a little late.. Covering all chimneys and vents leading into the home. Do defensible space regulations apply to my property? 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. The recommendations regarding defensible space are based on data showing they can or might help. The program is also being used in other parts of the state as well as in Oregon. 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. Police. 0000522234 00000 n Fires can ignite and spread under normal conditions. startxref Be ready for fire weatherand evacuation with these tools and information. We wanted to go live by this fire season. That fire destroyed 580 homes with an unknown number of deaths. Flying embers and intense radiant heat pose the greatest dangers to buildings during wildfires. In 2021, the park district received a California Coastal Conservancy Wildfire Resilience grant for removal of Eucalyptus groves near the Tilden Nature Area, and at the far north end of Wildcat Canyon. Ive been working on this for a year and a half. City officials said the evolving fire threat demands a different type of response. 0000000016 00000 n 2023 What should I do? Talk to neighbors in the same fire risk zone. Everyone else is able to load or unload passengers for up to three minutes. Dont hose down decks or anything. Businesses are located in zones, as well. Thats the most simple value proposition we see coming out of this.. AC Alert (app, text, email, phone, push alert, social media): AC Alert is Alameda Countys emergency warning system for life-threatening situations such as an order to evacuate. Consider purchasing a copy for your go-bag and highlighting potential routes in advance. No city of Berkeley funds are being used, May said. What help is available if I cant afford the high costs of fire prevention? )St How can I reduce the impact of wildfire smoke inside of my home? From a DWA, call 911 (510-642-3333 via cell) for assistance. Chin also encouraged attendees to sign up for disaster preparedness training updates via the citys Community Emergency Response Team. Finally, Chin provided a brief update on Berkeleys new outdoor siren warning system, which is expected to launch with five pilot sites this summer. Assessing wildland fire risk is an educated guess. 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. Who will be there to help during and after a wildfire? 0000598246 00000 n But we really need the public to do the same., Its #WildfireWednesday! 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. 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. What do wildfires have to do with air pollution? May, Crocker and other Zonehaven fans like to compare the tool to the old days of first responders huddled over maps laid out on truck hoods in the middle of a disaster. Being prepared is essential for anyone living or working in a high-risk fire zone. An interactive map displays the parcel number and zoning for adjacent parcels. We cant outsource that 100% to our first responders.. Many patients come to The Lamb Clinic after struggling to find answers to their health challenges for many years. But most emergency planners feel strongly that you should do all you can to make your property more defensible, even with the unknown. If you cannot reach your DWA, find a room with an exterior window, and call 911. Fires that spread under Extreme Fire Weather conditions can quickly become catastrophic. Fire officials reminded meeting attendees about the citys fire fuel chipper and debris bin programs, designed to help community members dispose of plant materials. We are ready, Berlant said during the Padilla event last week. 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. How do distant fires cause pollution in the Bay Area? DAVID GOINES: Remembering an iconic printmaker | CULTURE WAR: Hopkins bike lane | SNOW! Its also about saving neighborhoods. 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. 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. What should I do? (Do not leave your water running if you evacuate. He spent seven of those years at Station 7 in the Berkeley Hills. Free for all, funded by readers. The Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board is an important resource for tenants and landlords. 4. Two California entities have published guides to home hardening: Other things to consider are replacing wooden furniture with fire-resistant materials. Leaving early gives you the most control over how you will get down the hill and what you can bring. 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. Property owners can face fines and a misdemeanor conviction if they fail to comply after repeated notifications. 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). 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. The firestorm, which Caltrans officially called the Tunnel Fire, wasnt technically a wildfire as it started and spread in populated areas. An arrival place could be a community center, shelter, place to receive hotel vouchers, or meet up with your friends and family. To save money, get a higher deductible, not less coverage. 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. The app will not send local emergency action alerts, such as to evacuate or shelter in place. DAVID GOINES: Remembering an iconic printmaker | CULTURE WAR: Hopkins bike lane | SNOW! Ask if wildfire prevention requirements are being met. Zone 1 standards call for smaller, thinner and lower vegetation to prevent sparks from flying to your house. A. Some local hotels offer special rates to residents during fire season. Call BFD at 510-981-5589 or email fire@cityofberkeley.info. PVr{`u5Gy{FL)|P^I'&7Xn{ L58QS'1a_V"wiev{Twg)/5B^z5Y~Q{T?ss=y0Q-8F1UGuGx What do wildfires have to do with air pollution? Learn what they mean so you can take appropriate action to protect yourself. What will Zonehaven add that the city of Berkeley doesnt currently have to help with evacuations? Free for all, funded by readers. This year, the tax will fund more than $3.5 million in wildfire preparedness efforts alone. What should I do? Make a household fire weather plan. Zonehaven also interfaces with Waze, real-time GPS-guided traffic maps. 0000000936 00000 n Of course, there are many more steps residents can take to prepare for emergencies and for evacuations. The hope, he said, is that the message doesnt change as it goes from person to person. 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.. WebBerkeleys vegetation management program applies to the citys hillside fire zones, which are made up of two zones, called 2 and 3. You should know if you live in Berkeleys hillside fire zones and you should know your Zonehaven evacuation zone number. Vegetation fires in these areas, including in the Eastshore State Park, can potentially spread into urban and residential areas, depending on the weather, said Berkeley Fire Chief Abe Roman. Where has Zonehaven been used to date, and lessons learned? Much is in the works. 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 In an emergency, you can also monitor KQED 88.5 FM or KCBS 740 AM for updates. Check Permit Status. The hazard is ranked in three categories: moderate, high and very high. Given the perfect scenario in which all factors are in alignment, one could expect a significant fire with spread into the city, Roman said. For driving routes, focus on main roads that connect with major streets and highways. Whats being done to reduce the risk of wildfires in Berkeley? Q. Whos using Zonehaven in the Bay Area now? But it isnt free or low-cost. If available, foot paths generally offer more direct walking routes downhill than City streets. Blazes started by utility wires, campfires, BBQs, fireworks, cigarette butts thrown out a car window or arson, however, cant be predicted. Keeping wood, brooms, propane BBQs, garbage cans and flammable patio furniture at least 10 feet from the house. Free for all, funded by readers. xref 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. AC Some of these efforts are still active today, and excellent resources for tenants. It also includes fireworks. State officials have also been spreading the word about how communities can prepare for increasingly dangerous blazes. You can enter your zip code or zoom in on the map. Why do power outages occur more often during fire season? Replacing all wood materials such as roofs, siding and decks, fences, and gates with fire-retardant or noncombustible options: composite, cement, metal, clay, tile, fire-treated wood. 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. In October 1991, gusting dry winds spread a firestorm through 2.5 square miles of mostly residential neighborhoods, destroying nearly 3,500 homes and apartment units in what would be known as the Oakland firestorm. Nixle (email, text): Nixle is an alert system local police and fire departments use to send messages on crime, traffic, weather, and events. To access: Download the FEMA app. These factors include weather, traffic flows, street design, historical disaster data, geography and more. There are currently 130 sworn fire suppression personnel. Never let your coverage lapse because it opens a window when many companies cancel or refuse to renew. At the same time, weather and fire are unpredictable. Using these methods must meet codes. Crocker described the two programs as intimately connected.. Text prepare to this number to subscribe to messages. For an in-depth explanation of these terms,watch our video about fire weather. Removing combustibles such as dry leaves and pine needles from the roof. Participants of the program get national recognition for their work, he said. It is not an effective way to prevent ignition. My fire insurance was canceled. If you are looking for an alternative to surgery after trying the many traditional approaches to chronic pain, The Lamb Clinic offers a spinal solution to move you toward mobility and wellness again. Nonprofit news. 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. Berkeley developed evacuation zones in 2019, which Zonehaven fine-tuned, May said. Participants of the state as well as in Oregon historical disaster data, geography more. How can I reduce city of berkeley fire zone map impact of wildfire smoke inside of my?... 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