News and Notes
The Oakland Hills Remain a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone!
July 17, 2025
In February, CAL FIRE released drafts of new maps for Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) Fire Hazard Severity Zones for 90 days of public comment. In Oakland and many other jurisdictions in the East Bay, these new maps substantially reduced the […]
Oakland Firewise Groups Conduct Joint Evacuation Drill
October 7, 2025
By Maryanne Hubbard, CABS Firewise Firewise groups across Oakland are growing! This year, we have grown from 9 to 15 Firewise-recognized communities. With this growth comes an influx of learning, from hardening homes and improving preparedness to practicing evacuation. Evacuation […]
Oakland’s LaMasNA is a Firewise USA® Recognized Site!
October 1, 2025
Justin Graham, resident lead, had this to share: The Larry-Mastlands Neighborhood Association (LaMasNA) includes 47 homes along Larry and Mastlands in a compact area just to your right as you drive up Ascot between the schools and the Painted Rocks. […]
Zone 0’s Last Stand: Sacramento Hearing Sets the Stage for October 10 Rewrite
September 26, 2025
By Christophe Marcant, OFSC Board Member When the Zone 0 Regulatory Advisory Committee reconvened in Sacramento on September 22, the hearing carried the weight of finality. It followed a contentious session in Altadena the week before, where opponents turned out […]
Oakland’s Grand View Firewise Community
September 6, 2025
David Lee, resident co-lead, had this to share about their group’s experience with becoming a Firewise USA® recognized site: The Grand View Firewise Community is made up of 83 single family homes and townhouses along Grand View Drive, Doris Place, […]
Wildfire Preparedness Takes Center Stage in El Cerrito
September 4, 2025
By Wendy Goldsby, OFSC Board Member On August 16, Assemblymember Buffy Wicks hosted a Wildfire Preparedness event in El Cerrito — and Oakland Firesafe Council was there to make sure Oakland’s voice was heard. The gathering brought together community members, […]