Berkeley city council advances defensible space ordinance
BERKELEY, Calif. (KRON) — The City of Berkeley is stepping up efforts to protect property and lives during wildfire season. A new ordinance advanced by the city council this week would require some residents to clear five feet of defensible space around their homes.
During a wind-driven fire event, embers blowing ahead of the main fire can start new fires. This ordinance aims to keep additional homes from catching fire.
Prediction of 'major earthquake' on anniversary of Great San Francisco Earthquake not credible, experts say
This week, the Berkeley City Council advanced a measure known as 'Zone 0,' a new ordinance that would require some property owners to clear all flammable material five feet away from their homes. That could include trees, shrubs, grass, plastics, vehicles — basically, anything that could catch fire.
That 5-foot defensible space will make a difference, officials say.
Collin Arnold is an interim assistant chief with the Berkeley Fire Department. He says five feet of defensible space would slow a wildfire down enough to allow firefighters to do their jobs.
By reducing the number of houses that ignite, firefighters can do their job of going from house to house and making sure they can get in front of the ones that do ignite.
The new ordinance currently applies to about 850 homes in two parts of the city: the Panoramic Hill neighborhood above the Cal campus, and a strip of homes east of Grizzly Peak boulevard.
Assistant Chief Arnold cites this home as a good example of what needs to be done but says that this ordinance will work best if everyone is onboard.
'This is going to be effective if everybody does it,' he said, 'where everyone is pulling together to make everyone safer.'
The ordinance will be heard by the city council a second time next month. If passed, the new rules would kick in on Jan. 1, 2026. Homeowners who then fail to comply with the ordinance could face fines of up to $500 a day for each violation.
Now homeowners would be allowed to keep some potted plants next to their homes as long as they are spaced out.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
SF fountain that divides public opinion to be fenced off
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — A controversial fountain along San Francisco's waterfront has been ordered closed off from the public. The Vaillancourt Fountain across from the Ferry Building at Embarcadero Plaza is being fenced off in the interest of public safety, according to city officials. A representative with the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department told that a recent report had made it clear that the fountain, in its current state, is a potential hazard. 'The Vaillancourt Fountain was designed for people to interact with,' an official said. 'This report made it clear that is no longer safe.' Two Bay Area restaurants named among 'world's best' by prestigious global ranking According to a Rec and Parks official, parts of the fountain are 'cracked, corroded, or missing,' including a key support rod in one of the structure's arms. The fountain also contains hazardous materials like lead and asbestos. 'As a result, we are fencing it off,' a parks official said. People will still be able to view the fountain, but not to walk through it or get close to it. Installed in 1971, the Vaillancourt Fountain divides public opinion. Fans of brutalist architecture and preservationists have defended the 710-ton sculpture, which has been inactive as a fountain for the past year due to a pump failure. Recently, plans were unveiled for a $30-million renovation of the Embarcadero Plaza and adjoining Sue Bierman Park. The fountain was not pictured in renderings for the planned renovations. Armand Vaillancourt, the Canadian artist behind the fountain, visited SF last month to try and urge city officials to preserve the structure. Parks officials maintain that the report will have no impact on long-term plans for the future of Vaillancourt Fountain. 'This step is strictly about ensuring public safety,' officials told KRON4. 'It doesn't impact the timeline or scope of the broader Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park Renovation Project.' Parks officials maintain that long-term decisions regarding the fountain's future will follow public process established by the San Francisco Arts Commission, including review from the Visual Arts Committee, and will include opportunities for community impact. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Giant lizard seen wandering Santa Clara County park
(KRON) — Santa Clara County Parks is asking for the public's help finding an Argentine black and white tegu — a lizard that can grow to the size on an ironing board — recently seen wandering Joseph D. Grant County Park. The species of lizard can grow to 4 feet long and weigh more than 10 pounds, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Black and white tegus are native to South America and are considered an invasive species in some U.S. states. 'They're a popular pet and don't belong in parks,' Santa Clara County Parks shared on social media Friday. Hit-and-run driver who ran over, seriously injured 5-year-old charged: SF DA A group of hikers photographed the lizard after finding it in the park serval days ago. Anyone with information about the lizard's location is asked to contact the Santa Clara County Parks department at (408) 274-6121. 'These lizards are not native to the area and tend to eat bird eggs, small birds, small lizards and various small mammals and invertebrates,' Santa Clara County Parks said. 'They are docile so they won't harm people.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
Crews rescue kitten from storm drain in Livermore
(KRON) — A tiny kitten was rescued from a storm drain on Tuesday in Livermore, city officials posted on social media. The animal was found trapped in a storm drain near Preston Avenue. Livermore Public Works crews, assisted by the Livermore Police Department, executed this 'tricky rescue,' officials said. 'After carefully removing the storm drain cover, Officer Holmes lowered a humane trap and used a net to gently guide the kitten to safety,' the city wrote. It is unknown how long the kitten was stuck in the storm drain. Photos of the rescue were posted on the City of Livermore's social media page (see below). Massive tree crushes pickup truck in San Mateo The kitten is safe and is being handled by the East County Animal Shelter. The news about the rescued kitten was posted on the City of Livermore's Facebook page at 4:20 p.m. Wednesday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
