PG&E Grant Helps OFSC Reduce Wildfire Risk in Oakland

In May of this year, OFSC was awarded a $150,000 grant from PG&E to implement 11 fuel reduction projects across the Oakland Hills. These initiatives have been completed, marking a significant investment in wildfire mitigation efforts for the region.

Thanks to this grant, Oakland Firesafe Council has been able to significantly enhance fire safety across the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) in the Oakland Hills!

We successfully facilitated and completed critical vegetation management and fire mitigation projects on thirteen residential properties and three key City of Oakland properties. Funded by the PG&E Fuel Reduction Grant, these projects prioritized immediate wildfire hazard reduction through intensive fuel reduction, hazardous invasive species removal, and ecological restoration, concurrently fostering community resilience and stewardship.

Crews conducted targeted, high-impact fuel abatement efforts, directly reducing wildfire risk at each location.

Activities included:

Hazardous Fuel Removal: Eliminating highly flammable, invasive species such as Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), French broom (Genista monspessulana), black acacia (Acacia melanoxylon), and coyote brush (Baccharis pilularis) which disrupt native communities and pose an extreme fire threat.

Defensible space creation at Spees Canyon (city-owned property) by extensively clearing vegetation that previously posed a direct wildfire threat to surrounding residences: Chipping logs and branches on ground, weed whacking of overgrown vegetation 20’ south and 20’ North to large pine at top, prune all tree branches up 15’ off the ground.

Structural protection at Upper Sausal Creek (City-owned property) with aggressive vegetation removal to protect adjacent homes from wildfire: Removal of two big bay branches in creek, prune all tree branches up 10’, removed dead vegetation on ground and ivy growing up trees, weed whacking up hillside behind homes.

Establishment of a Shaded Fuel Break on Lower Ridgemont Drive: Created a strategic fuel break behind homes, reducing fire intensity and spread potential. Trimming up and pruning back trees, weed whacking of vegetation 22’ down hillside, removal of invasive coyote brush on side of houses extending up embankment.

Evacuation Route Clearance: Ensuring clear, safe egress for residents by removing tree tunnels and overgrown hazards: trees along Oakwood and Glen Oaks Drive down to Wild Current were pruned up and trimmed back so that they didn’t hang over the street. Clearing of overgrown invasive vegetation at corner of Wild Current/Oakwood that was growing into the evacuation route.

Extensive clearing of vegetation along Artemisia trail: this trail serves as the on-foot evacuation route for the Skyline Blvd Firewise community. Clearing vegetation along trail 10’ to the east and west, pruning up all tree branches to 8’, removal of invasive Scotch broom and black berry bushes on the trail.

Fuel Load Reduction and Ecological Impact

Thinning and pruning work was executed with precision, prioritizing the preservation of resilient native species such as redwoods, buckeyes, live oaks, and cedars. This fuel reduction strategy significantly improved vertical and horizontal spacing of the remaining fuel, drastically decreasing the potential for crown fires and rapid fire spread.

Using weed whackers, hand tools, and a high capacity woodchipper (Bandit 18 XP) for eight hours a day over 10.5 workdays, crews processed a substantial volume of biomass. This effort visibly reduced on-site fuel loads and transformed properties from dangerously overgrown landscapes to fire-adapted and ecologically sound environments.

As anticipated, homeowner feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with neighbors frequently inquiring about participating in future projects.

The immediate outcomes include demonstrable improvements in property safety, enhanced emergency access, and a reduced threat to adjacent structures and critical infrastructure. Homeowner response has been overwhelmingly positive, reflecting a strengthened community commitment to future fire safety initiatives.

Homeowner Letters of Gratitude

Dear Joelle,

I can’t thank you enough for your help in getting the PGE “Fuel Reduction Grant”. It was so needed because of the amount of growth in the canyon. I continue to be surprised at how much there is and what a fire hazard it can be. Mr. Gonzales (The Tree Solution) did an excellent job of clearing the hillside, cutting and removing the growth and trimming fuel from around trees and taking it away. His crew was professional, efficient and skilled at moving up and down steep hillsides. I am so pleased with the job that they did. I can now see down the hillsides on 2 sides of my house. You have to come see the completed job and take pictures. It looks like a different place. I am more than thrilled with the finished product. I feel like my house is safer and better prepared to withstand a wildfire. Hopefully, it will never be tested!

Appreciatively yours, N. Watson, Skyline Blvd.

Dear Oakland Firesafe Council,

We wanted to write to express our appreciation for the remarkable work that just concluded on our property. The crew finished after three days of intensive work, and we’re genuinely impressed by the transformation. We hope our experience might encourage other property owners to participate in your fire mitigation program.

When we found our home in the Oakland Hills in 2021, we were drawn to its natural setting. The 0.6-acre lot sits beneath six towering redwoods, with seven live oaks, three buckeyes, four cypresses, a cedar, and an abundance of privets and other vegetation. It felt like our own private woodland. What we hadn’t fully grasped was the extent of responsibility that came with it. Years of deferred maintenance had created a dense, overgrown landscape that was frankly overwhelming. We weren’t sure where to begin or whether our budget would be sufficient for the scope of work needed.

In 2025, we were fortunate to receive a grant through PG&E that you facilitated. You identified our project, managed the approval process, and connected us with an experienced crew that has worked extensively with firesafe councils. Their expertise with fire department requirements was evident from the start. During their initial site visit, the crew walked us through the property, explaining the priorities and offering thoughtful recommendations. They understood the regulatory requirements but also listened carefully to our concerns about preserving the character of the landscape.

Over the past three days, we watched the transformation unfold. The results have exceeded our expectations. The redwoods received careful thinning that now allows air circulation and filtered sunlight to reach the forest floor. The invasive privets that had been creating dangerous fuel ladders and obscuring our oaks and buckeyes have been removed. The native trees were pruned to reduce fire risk while maintaining their natural form and health.

The removal of a hazardous cypress threatening the power lines was particularly complex. Watching the crew coordinate this challenging task demonstrated their skill and experience.

What’s especially gratifying is that some of the wood from the project is being donated to the Wildcat Canyon Community School in El Sobrante for their projects. We’re also having planks and 6×6 railroad ties milled from a substantial portion of that cypress trunk to use in our garden – it’s satisfying to give that tree a productive second life. We can now access areas of our property that had been inaccessible for years. We’ve already begun rediscovering native plants that were completely hidden beneath the overgrowth. It’s like getting reacquainted with our own land.

While there will certainly be an adjustment period as we adapt to the more open landscape, we recognize this work as essential for both safety and ecological health. Several neighbors approached us during the three days of work, inquiring about the crew after seeing the quality of their efforts – a testament to the positive impact this program has on the broader community.

We’re also grateful for the educational resources you regularly provide. Your newsletters, workshops, and guidance have been invaluable in helping us understand defensible space principles and fire preparedness. We’ll continue to rely on these materials as we maintain our property going forward.

Thank you for the important work you do for our community and for making this transformation possible.

Sincerely, Chris & Tina, Oakland Hills Residents