On April 15, Berkeley City Council adopted a wildfire emergency declaration that represents an inspiring new direction in fire prevention. In a special called meeting, they voted unanimously to approve an ordinance plan. The council’s decision now focuses on improving the establishment of an “ember-resistant zone.” This new zone will shield almost 1,000 residences located between Tilden Regional Park and Panoramic Hill in the eastern section of the city. This grant project is just one piece of a larger state effort to improve the state’s wildfire resilience in the face of more severe and extreme weather.
The ordinance still must pass one final vote – on May 8 – which will bring it into effect officially. If enacted it will require clear and strict standards on vegetation and other highly flammable materials in the home ignition zone. Intended to help homes be more resilient against the increasing risk of wildfire, the ordinance emphasizes the maintenance of defensible spaces around residences.
Key Features of the Ordinance
The proposed ordinance leaves little room for interpretation, invoking far-reaching measures affecting all residential homeowners whose properties traverse Berkeley’s many scenic and hilly neighborhoods. It would specifically ban most species of plants and all flammable items within five feet of homes. This measure includes the removal of certain trees in that zone unless they exceed the height of the nearby house. The ordinance goes so far beyond vegetation. It further includes regulations for wooden fences, play sets, trash and recycling bins, boats, and RVs.
Insurance companies throughout California have started pressuring policyholders like never before to adopt the steps necessary to make their homes even more wildfire resistant. Their recommendations align with the proposed ordinance, emphasizing the need for implementing ember-resistant strategies within a five-foot radius of homes.
“First, it gives the homeowners a possibility of saving their properties. Although if a wind is blowing 40 to 50 mph, then there’s little chance. Second, the clearance gives them a buffer to escape more quickly. In short, it could save their lives.” – Char Miller
Community Reactions and Concerns
City residents have had a somewhat divided reaction to the newly proposed regulations. Though some recognize the need to defend their homes and village from flooding, others are concerned about possible aesthetic changes. Brent Blackaby, a local resident, spoke in favor of the initiative. What struck him was that scores of neighbors understood how critical these measures are.
“I feel very comfortable knowing where my neighbors stand. We know many may not love being asked to do it, but I think we all want to protect our homes and our community,” – Brent Blackaby
Some other local residents have expressed concern about the neighborhood’s aesthetics and character. Bert Monroy underscored the importance of safety. He acknowledged that fundamental changes are on the horizon, threatening the long cultivated gains in privacy and shade.
“There’s going to be a big loss of beauty, privacy, some shade and character. It’s going to look a lot like just rocks and concrete.” – Bert Monroy
As Daniel Berlant, CalFire’s Deputy Director for Communications, reminded us, “It’s complicated @CalFiresmoke.” He pointed out that even well-maintained plants can become dangerous under the wrong circumstances. He noted once fire starts it can move quickly.
“There are certain plants that are more flammable than others, but the reality is even well-manicured and well-watered plants at the right temperature are going to burn,” – Daniel Berlant
Financial Support and Implementation Timeline
The City Council is doing the right thing and working on a fiscal sustainability plan. This plan implements several initiatives to relieve at least some of those residents’ burdens. This blueprint could include direct grants or other forms of assistance targeted at homeowners to help them meet the new requirements. We hope to inspire the people who will be living on Berkeley’s eastern edge. Moving forward, he said, the next 12 to 18 months will be about creating defensible spaces.
The overarching intention of this ordinance is to increase city-wide protections. This will allow the city to redirect its attention to the other neighborhoods that require fire risk mitigation. California has been leading the way with state-directed home vegetation management. The proposal creates new “zone-zero rules,” which we know are absolutely fundamental to significantly mitigating wildfire risks.
A law passed in 2020 requires California’s Board of Forestry and Fire Protection to develop new standards. These standards will inform what types of things can be located next to residential homes starting in 2023. While a committee has written zone-zero regulations in 2022, there has still not been an official vote on these guidelines.
“To meet the needs of increasingly extreme weather, where decades-old buildings weren’t planned and designed for today’s realities, these proposals are part of a bigger state strategy to build wildfire and forest resilience from forest management, to huge investments in firefighting personnel and equipment, community hardening, and adopting state-of-the-art response technologies,” – Gavin Newsom
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