Meeting Overview

The Berkeley City Council held a special meeting on February 11th to address wildfire risk management, focusing on the increasing threat of wildfires in the East Bay Hills. The meeting was led by Chief Sprague and attended by several council members, with notable absences from Councilmembers Rashi Kesarwani and Ben Bartlett. The discussions revolved around proactive measures to create fire-adaptive communities, improve evacuation strategies, and enhance fire safety infrastructure.

Main Agenda Items

The council meeting concentrated on several key areas to mitigate wildfire risks:

• Home Hardening and Defensible Space: Emphasis was placed on home hardening and creating defensible spaces to protect structures during wildfires. This involves installing noncombustible materials within five feet of homes and managing vegetation to reduce fire risk.

• Zone 0 and Community-Wide Implementation: The introduction of Zone 0, focusing on stringent vegetation management, was discussed. The council stressed the importance of community-wide adoption to effectively mitigate wildfire spread.

• Evacuation Strategies: Challenges in evacuating residents, especially in narrow roads of the Berkeley Hills, were highlighted. Improved evacuation planning and the Safe Passages Program were discussed to facilitate smoother evacuations.

• Fire Code and Insurance Alignment: The need to align local fire codes with insurance requirements was discussed to prevent increased premiums and non-renewals for residents.

• Funding and Support Programs: Secured funding through a Cal Fire grant was noted, alongside the need for additional financial incentives to support widespread adoption of fire safety measures.

• Public Comments and Support: Community members and various organizations expressed strong support for the proposed fire safety measures, emphasizing the urgency given the increasing frequency of wildfires.

• Lessons from Other Communities: The meeting drew lessons from other regions, highlighting the effectiveness of modern building codes and community-wide defensible space in preventing fire spread.

• Collaboration and Future Steps: The need for collaboration with UC Berkeley, the East Bay Park District, and other partners was emphasized to ensure a comprehensive approach to wildfire risk reduction.

Decisions Made

The council made several decisions aimed at advancing fire safety initiatives:

• Adoption of the Safe Passages Program: The council adopted the Safe Passages Program, focusing on home hardening, fuel reduction, and planning evacuation routes.

• Referral for Further Community Outreach: Items 1A, 1B, and 1C were referred back to staff for further community outreach and feedback, with a refined proposal expected in March.

• Support for Financial Assistance Programs: The council supported the Resident Assistance Program and discussed additional funding avenues, including Measure FF and potential grants for home hardening.

• Implementation of Zone 0: The council agreed to implement Zone 0 measures, focusing on stringent vegetation management within five feet of homes.

• Continued Community Engagement: The council emphasized the importance of ongoing community engagement and feedback to refine and implement fire safety measures effectively.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to advancing these initiatives and a focus on collaboration and strategic partnerships to build a resilient community in the face of wildfire threats.