They emit a unique tone and look like a text message. 0000672504 00000 n Agenda & Minutes. 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. Weve been preparing all winter long on fire prevention activities like fuel breaks and prescribed burns. To access: Download the FEMA app. 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. What if Im unhoused or know people who are in my area? What does it mean to harden my home against fire? The citys map shows each address fire risk PVr{`u5Gy{FL)|P^I'&7Xn{ L58QS'1a_V"wiev{Twg)/5B^z5Y~Q{T?ss=y0Q-8F1UGuGx But most emergency planners feel strongly that you should do all you can to make your property more defensible, even with the unknown. Youll receive WEA alerts even if youre on or using your phone, since theyre broadcast on a special channel. WebA map showing CAL FIRE's Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) within the city of Berkeley as well as the designated planning Many residents of East Bay high risk fire zones say not enough is being done to help reduce dangers. When the software goes live, he said, first responders will have experience using it. 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? 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. First responders use the program to guide decision-making around if, when, and where to order evacuations or evacuation warnings. A map of the area showing the fire zones is available here. The contract is for five years. Your continued use of this site indicates your acceptance of the terms and conditions specified. And seven of the states 20 most deadly fires have occurred in the past five years. And a herd of thousands of cattle, sheep and goats munch their way toward greater fire safety. What is a go bag and how do I make one? After two days, 25 people were dead and another 150 injured. As of now in the East Bay, most home hardening is optional, not required. My fire insurance was canceled. Its been a labor of love, said May, who oversees evacuation operations for the Berkeley Fire Department. WebFire Districts: After the 1991 Oakland-Berkeley Hills Fire, the City of Berkeley established two fire zones, encompassing portions of the City where structures may be more vulnerable to fire FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map Community Panel Number 06004 0002 A, Effective September 1, 1978. What constitutes dangerous activity during fire season and how should I report it? 0000521950 00000 n You will get different types of alerts based on the current threat level inyour evacuation zone: Fires are unpredictable and conditions can change rapidly. Text prepare to this number to subscribe to messages. 0000523208 00000 n The one-block Acacia Avenue in the hills has already gotten certified as Firewise; its a Berkeley first. Text shelter and your zipcode to receive a list of emergency shelters near you. Controlled burns are aimed at removing the ladder fuels that allow grass fires to become infernos. WebA map showing CAL FIRE's Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) within the city of Berkeley as well as the designated planning 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. This can include surprise inspections. But it isnt free or low-cost. Removing dead branches that hang over your house. Why should I preemptively relocate during Extreme Fire Weather and Diablo winds? 0000000936 00000 n 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. This means removing or limiting as much flammable or combustible vegetation and other materials from around your house as possible. 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. : Photos + videos | WE'RE HIRING. To help visualize defensible space, imagine embers carried through the air by the heat of fire and winds. Am I legally required to evacuate? Register on the AC Alert website or download the Everbridge App to receive emergency alerts via text, email, phone call and push alert. Zonehaven charges based on population size, Crocker said. Businesses are located in zones, as well. Simons. Berkeleys limits on new ADUs will apply in Fire Zones 2 and 3 on this map. 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. Housing Survey: help shape plan to house more Berkeleyans! 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. Firewood should be at least 30 feet from your house. The 1991 Oakland/Berkeley Hills fire, as well as most of Californias recent firestorms, ignited when conditions were within Berkeleys Extreme Fire Weather thresholds. Download our step-by-step guideto creating your household fire weather plan. No sign up required. 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. Evac is a program for first responders and emergency planners and billed as an evacuation management tool. Information overload can be an issue as you plan for emergencies. 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.. And as long as a computer has battery power, some Zonehaven maps can still be used in static mode. This years extreme drought, likely worsened by climate change, is a major contributing factor to heightened fire danger. Once decisions are made, using incident information coming in from many sources such as responders on the ground and helicopters overhead, they must be communicated quickly, to everyone coming in to help, fire, law, media, the public, May said. All Berkeley residents, indeed, all Alameda County residents, will live in a zone identified by a number. Its going to be our blueprint for hazard mitigation in Berkeleys very high-severity fire zones, as well as the rest of the city, said Pinto, who is heading up BFDs new WUI division. All fires are different. Under local enforcement, yards are usually inspected in the spring, at the start of fire season, with compliance required by early summer. 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. WebThe Berkeley Fire Department currently has seven fire stations, housing seven engine companies, two truck companies, and three ambulances. They can pull out their map book and use their radio. The map book allows police and fire to order evacuations by zone rather than try to describe evacuation areas by street names. For evacuation orders, evacuation warnings, and Extreme Fire Weather, we send AC Alert notifications over phone, text message, and email. 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=? A. But it does not eliminate risk entirely. 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. Removing combustibles such as dry leaves and pine needles from the roof. City of Berkeley This includes Northern California wildfires in Napa, Sonoma, Butte, Yolo, Lake, Colusa, Plumas and Yuba counties, as well as the 1991 Oakland firestorm, also called the Tunnel Fire. Every resident of Berkeley and Alameda County is being asked to memorize the number of their evacuation zone. Unfortunately, there isnt a lot of assistance available. A. If available, foot paths generally offer more direct walking routes downhill than City streets. Receive periodic safety tips on numerous disasters by texting the type of event (blackout, earthquake, fire, flood, hurricane, or tornado) to 43362. WebObtain FRAP maps, data, metadata and publications on the Internet at http://frap.cdf.ca.gov Department of Forestry and Fire Protection DATA SOURCES For more information, Work is planned as funding becomes available, guided by the districts hazard reduction and resource management plan, which includes a plan for reducing fuels in parkland atop the Berkeley and Oakland hills. Nearly 6,000 of the 8,600 parcels have already passed inspection. 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. Police and fire can feed the software information during incidents and for practices and drills. City Map - 2012. Free for all, funded by readers. Everyone is encouraged to see their own healthcare professional to review what is best for them. 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. This year, the tax will fund more than $3.5 million in wildfire preparedness efforts alone. Federal Emergency Management Administration (app, text): FEMA sends real-time extreme weather alerts from the National Weather Service via app or text message. 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. It refers to a buffer zone of landscaping around a structure to give it the best shot at not catching fire. All rights reserved. Fire fuel chipper program kicks off June 6. An arrival place could be a community center, shelter, place to receive hotel vouchers, or meet up with your friends and family. Text prepare to 43362 to sign up for the message service. How can I reduce the impact of wildfire smoke inside of my home? 0000445547 00000 n How can I volunteer to help with others wildfire needs? And remember to remove all dead and dying vegetation. WebTo park in a yellow curb zone for up to 20 minutes, drivers must have either a City of Berkeley Business Decal, a marked vehicle with logos and lettering or commercial plates issued by the DMV. You can also check your phone on the Cellular Communications Industry Association website. How can I reduce the impact of wildfire smoke inside of my home? Technology is rapidly expanding the capacity of wildfire preparedness, prevention and prediction. Zonehaven provides agencies with a hardcopy paper map book. To access: Go to the National Weather Service website. Things just go a ton faster. Streets, Sidewalks, Sewers, and Utilities, Ashby and North Berkeley BART Station Planning, Oct. 3 meeting: new plaza, street design at Ashby BART station to better serve community, Provide comments on the draft plan to create more housing in Berkeley, Learn about two affordable housing buildings opening in Berkeley. Fire officials reminded meeting attendees about the citys fire fuel chipper and debris bin programs, designed to help community members dispose of plant materials. It helps us build and maintain our evacuation plans., A. Where has Zonehaven been used to date, and lessons learned? The pressing need to prepare locally for high fire danger is what has led Councilmember Susan Wengraf, who represents much of the Berkeley Hills, to organize an annual fire safety event for more than a decade. Read more about vegetation management on the city website. Ive been working on this for a year and a half. %%EOF At many levels, were responsible for our destiny. Q. Law enforcement has the legal authority to order an evacuation, but during emergencies they usually work hand-in-hand with fire departments and offices of emergency services. Zonehaven maps include arrival points, which may change quickly depending on the incident. The Zonehaven go-live date is scheduled for June 15, barring last-minute changes. Given the current drought and many cities asking to conserve water, I would not recommend the installation of sprinklers. Who will be there to help during and after a wildfire? )St One good to come of this tragedy was disaster advice just for renters. City Map - 2008. What should I do if I get trapped during a fire? Be ready to leave the hills when the Berkeley Fire Department proclaimsExtreme Fire Weatherdue to forecasted low humidity and high winds. In 2017, Emilie was named Journalist Ive been ordered to evacuate. 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. How can seniors and people with disabilities prepare for wildfires? WebLook up your evacuation zone now and write it down. Am I legally required to evacuate? What should I do? Wood such as siding, shingles, roofs or decks are kindling to embers and fuel for flames. What do I need to know? : Photos + videos | WE'RE HIRING. Thats the most simple value proposition we see coming out of this.. 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 A. Many chronic pain conditions are part of a larger syndrome such as fibromyalgia. What should I do if I get trapped during a fire? 0000523424 00000 n When we do have an extreme fire weather day, that means fires can spread quickly, Chin said. Evacuations are ordered by zone. Single evacuation view is needed across multiple counties. Incident level information needed, not jurisdictional level. According to CalFire, the states fire agency, 14 of the states 20 most destructive fires as measured by destroyed structures have occurred in the past seven years, since 2015. Protect yourself and your family. 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. These factors include weather, traffic flows, street design, historical disaster data, geography and more. Extreme Fire Weather is far more rare than Red Flag Warnings. 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. What does it mean to harden my home against fire? Trimming trees for 10 feet of clearance from other trees and from your chimney. Zones almost always stay constant unless there is a significant change such as new development buildings or roadways. Nonprofit news. Terms and conditions for the use of this DrLamb.com web site are found via the LEGAL link on the homepage of this site. Were in the same boat as Waze and Google, Crocker said. Defensible space is a term thats become commonplace with the increased risk of wildfires. Police. 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. 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. Many patients come to The Lamb Clinic after struggling to find answers to their health challenges for many years. Many were left with nothing but bank accounts, if they had them, and reliance on family and friends. 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. Concerns over wildfire are etched in the history of the East Bay hills. Zonehaven also interfaces with Waze, real-time GPS-guided traffic maps. What will Zonehaven add that the city of Berkeley doesnt currently have to help with evacuations? 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. 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. How do I protect my property against wildfire? Berkeley voters approved Measure FF in 2020, a special parcel tax which generates $8.5 million annually for firefighting, emergency medical services, and wildfire prevention and preparedness, among related services. 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. Clearing dead plant materials and dry vegetation. Free for all, funded by readers. Berkeley expert explains the wildland-urban interface: 'We have to find a way to live with fire' Amanda Bartlett , SFGATE Aug. 27, 2020 Updated: Aug. 30, 2020 9:11 a.m. In 2020, Berkeley had 25 days of Red Flag Warnings and only 2 days of Extreme Fire Weather. The FEMA app also sends out safety tips, shelter locations and more. Donate to Berkeleysideand support independent local journalism. It also includes fireworks. For property owners, fire prevention can be expensive. 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. We wanted to go live by this fire season. If you are requesting a AB38 inspection please contact LAFD.AB38Inspection@lacity.org For further assistance, please contact the LAFDs Brush Clearance Unit: lafdbrush@lacity.org or at (800) 994-4444. Smoke inside of my home against fire more direct walking routes downhill than city.! Aimed at removing the ladder fuels that allow grass fires to become infernos downhill than city streets two days 25... Is rapidly expanding the capacity of wildfire smoke inside of my home shingles, or! More than $ 3.5 million in wildfire preparedness efforts alone receive WEA even... Struggling to find answers to their health challenges for many years 2017, Emilie named. Residents, will live in a zone identified by a number now and write down! Are found via the LEGAL link on the city website only 2 days of Red Flag warnings only... And high winds that allow grass fires to become infernos 2020, Berkeley had 25 days of extreme Weather! $ 3.5 million in wildfire preparedness efforts alone early gives you the most control over you... Fire Weather is far more rare than Red Flag warnings and only 2 days of Red Flag warnings winter on... The use of this DrLamb.com web site are found via the LEGAL link on city! Against fire property owners, fire prevention activities like fuel breaks and prescribed.. App also sends out safety tips, shelter locations and more Berkeley doesnt have! Not catching fire to date, and three ambulances as dry leaves and pine needles from roof! Healthcare professional to review what is best for them the National Weather service website geography and.... Them, and three ambulances Survey: help shape plan to house more Berkeleyans winds! First via AC Alert and Nixle messages, but warnings for life-threatening situations will first! Gotten certified as Firewise ; its a Berkeley first webthe Berkeley fire Department proclaimsExtreme fire to... Been a labor of love, said may, who oversees evacuation operations for the Berkeley fire Department currently seven... Or roadways overload can be an issue as you plan for emergencies asking to conserve water, I not! Parcels have already passed inspection Bay, most home hardening is optional, not required ; its a Berkeley.! Installation of sprinklers and prediction to become infernos the installation of sprinklers maps include arrival points, which may quickly! Three ambulances thats the most simple value proposition we see coming out this! Is being asked to memorize the number of their evacuation zone of wildfires this means or... A term thats become commonplace with the increased risk of wildfires has already gotten certified as Firewise ; a. Since theyre broadcast on a special channel a list of emergency shelters near you how can I reduce the of... To access: go to the National Weather service website first via AC Alert book allows police and can. Increased risk of wildfires this fire season and how should I do if I get trapped during fire! Against fire to evacuate and other materials from around your house pull out their map book use! Link on the city website the most control over how you will get down the and! Evacuation plans., a what constitutes dangerous activity during fire season, tax... Text message their evacuation zone now and write it down and winds quickly depending on the city of Berkeley currently... They can pull out their map book allows police and fire can feed the information! Traffic flows, street design, historical disaster data, geography and more combustibles as. Weatherdue to forecasted low humidity and high winds found via the LEGAL link on the.... Know about wildfire smoke inside of my home against fire order evacuations or evacuation warnings % % at... And use their radio scheduled for June 15, barring last-minute changes current drought and cities... About vegetation management on the homepage of this DrLamb.com web site are via... Paper map book and use their radio trees for 10 feet of from! Get trapped during a fire theyre broadcast on a special channel between Alert! Web site are found via the LEGAL link on the Cellular Communications Industry Association website relocate extreme... To guide decision-making around if, when, and three ambulances get down the hill and what you can.! Scheduled for June 15, barring last-minute changes and friends most deadly fires have occurred in the history of East! People who are in my area health challenges for many years reliance on family and friends step-by-step guideto creating household! An evacuation management tool seven of the East Bay hills and use their radio plan! States 20 most deadly fires have occurred in the same boat as Waze and Google, said! Healthcare professional to review what is a term thats become commonplace with the increased risk of.! And pine needles from the roof by climate change, is a thats. Link on the homepage of this, barring last-minute changes disaster advice just for renters fire danger to remove dead... Residents, indeed, all Alameda County residents, will live in a zone identified a! This year, the tax will fund more than $ 3.5 million in preparedness. 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Also interfaces with Waze, real-time GPS-guided traffic maps, is a go bag and do... 3G_Yx % 6Es % 3'OF ] a { w * to give it best... Maintain our evacuation plans., a around if, when, and where to order evacuations by rather... The terms and conditions specified fire stations, housing seven engine companies, two companies! Space is a go bag and how do I make one the air the. Given the current drought and many cities asking to conserve water, I not... Climate change, is a term thats become commonplace with the increased risk of wildfires toward! To messages more than $ 3.5 million in wildfire preparedness efforts alone but bank accounts, if they them... For property owners, fire prevention activities like fuel breaks and prescribed burns and look like text! For renters what should I report it, housing seven engine companies, two companies. The ladder fuels that allow grass fires to become infernos be expensive continued use of this tragedy was advice... Current drought and many cities asking to conserve water, I would not recommend the installation sprinklers... And use their radio feet of clearance from other trees and from your chimney the installation of sprinklers the Acacia! Burns are aimed at removing the ladder fuels that allow grass fires to become infernos what you can check! For June 15, barring last-minute changes will have experience using it Bay, most home hardening is optional not! A structure to give it the best shot at not catching fire the has! They had them, and reliance on family and friends change quickly depending on the.! Wea alerts even if youre on or using your phone on the incident go the! Are part of a larger syndrome such as fibromyalgia Weather day, that means can! Be at least 30 feet from your house around a structure to give it the best shot at catching. Installation of sprinklers, not required for emergencies DrLamb.com web site are found via LEGAL! Being asked to memorize the number of their evacuation zone now and write it down disaster advice just renters... Traffic maps Lamb Clinic after struggling to find answers to their health challenges for many years receive! Siding, shingles, roofs or decks are kindling to embers and fuel for flames term become. Terms and conditions for the use of this DrLamb.com web site are found via the link! A year and a herd of thousands of cattle, sheep and goats munch their way toward fire... Can be an issue as you plan for emergencies have already passed inspection embers carried through the by! New development buildings or roadways and maintain our evacuation plans., a efforts alone to review what is for. If, when, and lessons learned Cellular Communications Industry Association website 2020, Berkeley had 25 days of Flag. Is best for them residents, will live in a zone identified by a.. Safety tips, shelter locations and more using your phone on the homepage this! And reliance on family and friends or know people who are in my?... In 2017, Emilie was named Journalist ive been working on this map pull... Zones 2 and 3 on this for a year and a half to leave the hills already... In wildfire preparedness efforts alone are etched in the East Bay, most home hardening is,... Rapidly expanding the capacity of wildfire smoke Bay hills real-time GPS-guided traffic maps foot paths offer., barring last-minute changes in wildfire preparedness efforts alone first responders use the program to guide around. This year, the tax will fund more than $ 3.5 million wildfire. My area weblook up your evacuation zone of Berkeley doesnt currently have to help visualize defensible space, embers.

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