<<105bccc2147a294ab837fa88ff5aed6f>]>> %%EOF Look up your evacuation zone now and write it down. Call BFD at 510-981-5589 or email fire@cityofberkeley.info. California law guarantees that basic home fire insurance is available to any homeowner who cant get conventional coverage under the California Fair Plan. Please read this section carefully. Berkeley Path Wanderers sells ahigh quality, durable map that includes footpaths. An evacuation zone is a portion of the community that has been sliced out to most effectively call for and manage evacuation, Crocker said. Its been a labor of love, said May, who oversees evacuation operations for the Berkeley Fire Department. Thats why weve compared information and vetted sources for you, with the aim of providing only credible and recent information from trusted sources. Zonehaven is a digital application or software for use on a smartphone, computer or tablet. 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. Do this for fences, gates and arbors especially where they are closest to your or a neighbors house. In an emergency, listen for your zone number on the radio (1610 AM in Berkeley), look for it on Twitter and Facebook and use Zonehavens real-time evacuation map to see where to go. 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. A. Zonehaven has two products, Evac and Aware. Am I legally required to evacuate? It is the only warning system designated for this and requires you to sign up or opt in to receive alerts. 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. It really does seem like fire season is upon us.. Its been done in ad hoc fashion for 100 years; it works, but its also time-consuming. What should I do if I get trapped during a fire? Clearing brush and trees 10 feet back from roadways and ensuring fire access roads are not obstructed. The headache of finding adequate coverage is hard on most people affected. Her work as a journalist has encompassed everything from 10 years as a daily news reporter for the East Bay Times, Read more about Zonehaven in past Berkeleyside coverage. The Berkeley Fire Department recommends that residents make plans to leave the hills during periods of Extreme Fire Weather. WebThe user will cite the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection as the original source of the maps, but will clearly denote cases where the original maps have been updated, modified, or in any way altered from the original condition. The plan will be tailored to Berkeleys specific needs and conditions, said Assistant Berkeley Fire Chief Chris Pinto. When different maps are used for evacuation planning, information can be confusing and disparate. Zonehaven also interfaces with Waze, real-time GPS-guided traffic maps. He also happens to live there. Make a plan with your household ahead of time for what you will do during fire weather. Zone 2 allows for some taller trees and bushes, trimmed to minimize risks from flames and flying embers. A. 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. A. Theyre usually packed together a behind-the-scenes program for emergency planners and a public-facing program for residents. Flying embers and intense radiant heat pose the greatest dangers to buildings during wildfires. 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. 0000000877 00000 n 4. How at-risk is the urban East Bay to wildland fire? The warnings on the map are advisories, not real-time emergency alerts. For suspicious activities, concern about people who may be at risk from fire, or recent indications of fire or flames call the non-emergency police lines: For hazards or emergencies in action, call 911. It is considered a temporary safety net until regular coverage is attained. Should I use sprinklers or hose down my yard or deck during a fire? 2023 Ive had COVID-19. We have to take ownership ourselves of that risk. Donate to Berkeleysideand support independent local journalism. Watch the full fire safety meeting below. The 1991 Oakland/Berkeley Hills fire, as well as most of Californias recent firestorms, ignited when conditions were within Berkeleys Extreme Fire Weather thresholds. WebBerkeley requires that buildings in certain hillside zones use materials and construction methods that will make them resistant to wildfire. Our multi-year drought is drying out our plants and vegetation. Were a little late.. We broadcast emergency information and instructions by radio on 1610 AM. Berkeleys fuel chipper program kicks off today, June 6, and runs through Sept. 23. How can seniors and people with disabilities prepare for wildfires? The Zonehaven go-live date is scheduled for June 15, barring last-minute changes. Officials will use the terms below to communicate current risk levels. At many levels, were responsible for our destiny. 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. The research also found three major fires that started during the more common west winds, which blow east from the Pacific Ocean. Dont hose down decks or anything. Whats the history of wildfires in Berkeley? One good to come of this tragedy was disaster advice just for renters. What do I need to know about wildfire smoke? 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. Nonprofit news. 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. What if I want to protect my home? Things just go a ton faster. only wastes water, Temmermand said. 0000272368 00000 n 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. Ask your former broker for suggestions, including whether additional wildfire prevention work might help keep your coverage. Arrival points can be a temporary evacuation place or longer term. : Photos + videos | WE'RE HIRING. 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. 4 0 obj<> endobj Zone 1 standards call for smaller, thinner and lower vegetation to prevent sparks from flying to your house. Rates are increasing, and policies are being canceled or not renewed, all linked to the risks of destructive wildfire. We are ready, Berlant said during the Padilla event last week. Other improvements, like using fire resistant materials for your roof and siding, can add up to thousands of dollars. Intense radiant heat can cause combustible materials to burst into flames. To save money, get a higher deductible, not less coverage. These zones are Official Zoning Map. 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. Be ready to leave the hills when the Berkeley Fire Department proclaimsExtreme Fire Weatherdue to forecasted low humidity and high winds. 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. Berkeleys hillside fire zones are made up of two zones, called 2 and 3. Credit: City of Berkeley. Local neighborhood Community Emergency Response Teams and other volunteer organizations aim for faster-paced action at the neighborhood level, often competing for the same pots of funding as other groups. This is done by all means calls, emails, text messages, door to door. Many were left with nothing but bank accounts, if they had them, and reliance on family and friends. For an in-depth explanation of these terms,watch our video about fire weather. Donate to Berkeleysideand support independent local journalism. 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. The National Weather Service declares a Red Flag Warning when low humidity and high winds combine for elevated fire risk. That fire destroyed 580 homes with an unknown number of deaths. Wetting down decks, siding, roofs, etc. Evac is a program for first responders and emergency planners and billed as an evacuation management tool. What should I know about wildfire safety? To access: Bookmark the Red Crosss shelter map, download the apps and see other information about wildfire safety. In the event of a fire, we will send evacuation notifications overAC Alert. 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. (No!). The startup team behind Zonehaven, which had close ties with first responders, was motivated by Californias recent and tragic fires, Crocker said. The increased urban risks from wildland fire are spurring interest in evacuation planning throughout the western United States, including California and the Bay Area. WebBerkeleys vegetation management program applies to the citys hillside fire zones, which are made up of two zones, called 2 and 3. Check Permit Status. 0000000936 00000 n Forms. Nonprofit news. Installing dual-paned glass windows with one pane of tempered glass to help lower radiant heat and prevent explosions, and using metal window screens instead of plastic or other flammable/meltable material. It helps us build and maintain our evacuation plans., A. I rent. Aim for replacement coverage, versus cash value, which wont pay you the actual costs of rebuilding and replacing, just depreciated value. 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. A. 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. What help is available if I cant afford the high costs of fire prevention? )St Evacuations are ordered by zone. The closer to the house, the more space between bushes and trees. For property owners, fire prevention can be expensive. 0000520194 00000 n Its well known, for example, that summer lightning storms over the Sierra Nevada start fires. 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. How do I protect my property against wildfire? But that does not mean the community can relax, Pinto said: The state Board of Forestry and Fire Protection is expected to release more stringent zone zero regulations early next year that will focus on making the first 5 feet around the house an ember-resistant zone., Thats a critical area that needs to be maintained to prevent the spread of fire to your home, said Pinto. 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