Oakland’s SEVENTH Firewise USA® Recognized Site is Portal Neighbors Firewise Group

Carol Haberberger, resident lead, had this to share:

The Portal Neighbors Firewise Group is focused on fire safety AND community building in Crocker Highlands. Our 50 homes surround the old Key System Tramway Trail. Half overlap the Trail itself. It’s a favorite walking place and short cut between three streets.

Although it may be used as an evacuation route, it has been neglected for years.

Ivy climbs up over fences in numerous fire ladders, covering old logs from fallen trees, branches and dried vegetation. It is within 50’-100’ zone of half the houses.

Although our location is lower in the hills than other Firewise groups,

we are easily within distance of traveling embers from several overgrown areas that immediately surround us, including Davie Stadium. Most of the homes are older and closely packed together with very old trees and vegetation crowded around them.

Home hardening is essential to address these particular conditions.

Our first task

was working together to remove the fire unsafe vegetation on the trail-many pickup loads.

We will continue to maintain this area in cooperation with Oakland Adopt-A-Spot to pick up the wood and leaves. Our group information is posted at two ends of the trail. Neighbors have been enthusiastic about the improvements.

Home hardening will continue to be our focus.

All homes in the group were personally contacted 3 times with information about the Oakland FireSafe Council and our group’s plans to become a Firewise Recognized group. JOIN US!

Assessment follow-up with Oakland Fire Department Pictured L-R at the entrance to the Tramway trail: Adam Ball, Tim Wendt, Carolyn Wynne, Ralph Tondre, Carol Haberberger, Steven Taylor

Special thanks to neighbors Michael Eyre and mascot Sage who patrol the neighborhood daily, Tim Wendt, Ralph Tondre and Carolyn Wynne.

Thanks to Joelle and the Oakland FireSafe Council back up team who guided us!

The (NFPA) F irewise USA® recognition program was designed to help residents learn about wildfire risks and provide a self-directed, collaborative framework for neighbors to work together to reduce these risks by engaging in fuel reduction and home hardening activities.

Oakland Firesafe Council is encouraging Oakland neighborhood groups to join the growing network of more than 1,500 Firewise USA® sites from across the nation by taking ownership in preparing and protecting their homes and communities against the threat of wildfire. LEARN MORE