0000521950 00000 n In two weeks, Berkeley and the rest of Alameda County are slated to launch a new evacuation software system called Zonehaven. #CaliforniaWildfires pic.twitter.com/3wzkjPFvtE. Nixle (email, text): Nixle is an alert system local police and fire departments use to send messages on crime, traffic, weather, and events. %PDF-1.4 % 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 Do defensible space regulations apply to my property? Some of these efforts are still active today, and excellent resources for tenants. Making property more fire-resistant can minimize this effect. He spent seven of those years at Station 7 in the Berkeley Hills. Zonehaven lets us get the information out quickly and put it on a platform that any responding agency can see., The software also allows agencies to train for various emergencies and scenarios. Is Zonehaven useful for people who dont live near wildland fire risks? But it isnt free or low-cost. During an emergency, the map will offer real-time useful information, such as areas under evacuation and the best evacuation route for your neighborhood. As soon as the program is live, you can enter your address, Sign up for Alameda County emergency alerts, or, Repopulation takes longer than evacuations (five days to evacuate, several months to recover). 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. Concerns over yard conditions or vegetation. A. Santa Cruz, Santa Clara and San Mateo counties used Zonehaven, to different extents, during the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire and the post-fire debris flow hazards. 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. We wanted to go live by this fire season. Removing flammable plants and shrubs from windows, and from under or near decks. Zonehaven maps include arrival points, which may change quickly depending on the incident. The goal is to protect your home and yard from catching fire from a flying ember, or from surging flames. Pinto retired from BFD in 2011 after 31 years of service to the city. City officials said the evolving fire threat demands a different type of response. 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. Zone 0 isnt yet required by law, but CalFire stresses its importance, and legal regulations are in the works. startxref Berkeleys hillside fire zones are made up of two zones, called 2 and 3. Credit: City of Berkeley. Leaving early gives you the most control over how you will get down the hill and what you can bring. Property owners can face fines and a misdemeanor conviction if they fail to comply after repeated notifications. A. Why do power outages occur more often during fire season? This is the area closest to any structure and should be hardscaped with gravel, rocks, concrete or any material that cant ignite. 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. 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. How can seniors and people with disabilities prepare for wildfires? How can I find out if there is a power outage scheduled for my area? 0000000936 00000 n What help is available if I cant afford the high costs of fire prevention? Everyone else is able to load or unload passengers for up to three minutes. 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. Things just go a ton faster. However, the California Fire Marshall sets codes for home hardening materials and practices. In a drought, sprinkler systems for fire prevention arent a good idea. How can I volunteer to help with others wildfire needs? 0000272368 00000 n Should I use sprinklers or hose down my yard or deck during a fire? CalFire sets the gold standard of defensible space. Local jurisdictions including Berkeley base their own regulations on the CalFire model. To save money, get a higher deductible, not less coverage. A. When do I need to wear a mask or stay indoors? It refers to a buffer zone of landscaping around a structure to give it the best shot at not catching fire. Federal Emergency Management Administration (app, text): FEMA sends real-time extreme weather alerts from the National Weather Service via app or text message. 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. Concerns over wildfire are etched in the history of the East Bay hills. Nonprofit news. Whether you plan to leave early or after a fire starts, think ahead of time about where youll stay. Simons. Also checking that you have spark arrestors on your weed wacker, lawn mower, propane BBQ and all other appliances using solid or liquid fuel. 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, The current maps show the probability of wildfire in a given area by assessing vegetation, fire history and topography, since steeper slopes have higher fire risk. 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. If you live inFire Zone 2 or 3 (the Berkeley hills),the Berkeley Fire Department recommends that you leave during Extreme Fire Weather, before a fire starts. 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. Hosing a yard or anything else wont help. for those who cannot use the stairs). Maintaining your yard is not just about saving your home. For property owners, fire prevention can be expensive. Do this for fences, gates and arbors especially where they are closest to your or a neighbors house. A. Zonehaven has two products, Evac and Aware. To access:Memorize your Zonehaven evacuation zone number and bookmark the map. Evac has more detailed information and resources for agency planners. Fire resistant landscaping is strongly encouraged. A software program that uses an algorithm incorporating various factors or inputs affecting disasters or emergency events to produce a digital evacuation map or real-time guide based on pre-set community zones. Donate to Berkeleysideand support independent local journalism. Temmermand offered this drought advice to those living in hillside fire zones. Its been a labor of love, said May, who oversees evacuation operations for the Berkeley Fire Department. Am I legally required to evacuate? They also might not. 2001-2023 The Pain Reliever Corporation. xref Ask if wildfire prevention requirements are being met. <<105bccc2147a294ab837fa88ff5aed6f>]>> 0000672504 00000 n And a herd of thousands of cattle, sheep and goats munch their way toward greater fire safety. WebBerkeley Heights, NJ 07922 Phone: 908-464-2700 Online: Email Regular Hours Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m FEMA Flood Hazard Zone Maps FEMA Flood Hazard Zone Maps. WebThe Berkeley Fire Department currently has seven fire stations, housing seven engine companies, two truck companies, and three ambulances. 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. The science of home hardening, the development of new materials and techniques to resist fire, is a fast-moving field. FEMAs dedicated text message number is 43362. Theyre usually packed together a behind-the-scenes program for emergency planners and a public-facing program for residents. To access: Sign up for Nixle alerts online. For Red Flag Warnings, we send notifications via email and text message. Check the citys Office of Emergency Services website for resources. City Map - 2012. Multiple (contiguous) county mapping and planning are needed. Resources. 0000001226 00000 n At the same time, weather and fire are unpredictable. Most phones made after 2012 are WEA-capable, but confirm your phones capability with your wireless phone provider. For many emergency planners, this is exciting, with the roll-out of products like real-time evacuation software and solar-powered warning sirens with voice capacity. Please read this section carefully. This may underlie a historic sudden tree die-off in the East Bay Regional Park District, which is sounding major wildfire risk alarms. Your landlord or the property owner is responsible for making sure the building meets building codes, including fire codes and for defensible space requirements related to yard maintenance. The utility is under intense legal and public pressure to improve the condition and maintenance of its infrastructure, having been charged with several serious fire-related safety violations, including being convicted of starting the deadly 2018 Camp Fire in Butte County which killed 84 people. Zonehaven provides agencies with a hardcopy paper map book. The city of Berkeley is a little more expansive than the state in designating its hillside fire zones, which cover 8,000 properties. Northwestern Alameda County Learn more about Berkeleys green building requirements. Berkeley requires that buildings in certain hillside zones use materials and construction methods that will make them resistant to wildfire. The requirements apply to fire zones 2 and 3. Look up which fire zone your property is by searching for your address in the parcel conditions map. Finally, Chin provided a brief update on Berkeleys new outdoor siren warning system, which is expected to launch with five pilot sites this summer. Larger buildings may require sprinkler systems and alarm systems. How can seniors and people with disabilities prepare for wildfires? Cutting grass and weeds to a maximum of 4 inches tall. The increased urban risks from wildland fire are spurring interest in evacuation planning throughout the western United States, including California and the Bay Area. Including: On hot days, many people living in high-risk areas of the East Bay hills like to water their yards often to keep their plants and grounds moist and damp, as a deterrent to flying embers or flames. Extreme Fire Weather is far more rare than Red Flag Warnings. All Berkeley residents, indeed, all Alameda County residents, will live in a zone identified by a number. Never let your coverage lapse because it opens a window when many companies cancel or refuse to renew. This includes swaths of the Oakland and Berkeley hills. Intense radiant heat can cause combustible materials to burst into flames. Firewood should be at least 30 feet from your house. The citys map shows each address fire risk In the event of a fire, we will send evacuation notifications overAC Alert. This means removing or limiting as much flammable or combustible vegetation and other materials from around your house as possible. Hillside Fire Zones Map Details Basemap Print Measure Hillside Fire Zones Map Location of Hillside Fire Zones in the City of Berkeley Web Map by 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. 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). Many residents of East Bay high risk fire zones say not enough is being done to help reduce dangers. And, on top of that, climate change is definitely here. DAVID GOINES: Remembering an iconic printmaker | CULTURE WAR: Hopkins bike lane | SNOW! At many levels, were responsible for our destiny. The effects of climate change, overgrown forests, prolonged drought as well as increased recreation and housing in wildland areas have all contributed to significant and record-breaking seasons of wildfires year after year, he said. You should know if you live in Berkeleys hillside fire zones and you should know your Zonehaven evacuation zone number. Thousands of homes were destroyed in recent California fires, with many people discovering they didnt have enough coverage. 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=? 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. Businesses are located in zones, as well. As of now in the East Bay, most home hardening is optional, not required. Smoking is illegal in city, regional and state parks, whether tobacco or cannabis, as are any drugs that involve matches or flames. Whats being done to reduce the risk of wildfires in Berkeley? Be ready for fire weatherand evacuation with these tools and information. If available, foot paths generally offer more direct walking routes downhill than City streets. To access: Sign up for warnings on the AC Alert website or by downloading the Everbridge app. 0000523208 00000 n The hot dry winds associated with advancing wildfires result in rapid evaporation long before flames and embers reach a home..
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