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 acreage designated as Very High, High, and Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zones compared with previous maps.
Local jurisdictions are required to enforce the fire codes related to defensible space and building codes within the state boundaries, but they are allowed to use their own judgment and extend the boundaries based on their experience and deliberations. There was optimism that local fire departments would continue to use the zones that they had been using so that the likelihood of wildfire would be decreased.
There was uncertainty from residents that this might influence their homeowners insurance policies one way or another. (Note: Industry experts on a United Policyholders seminar agreed that insurance companies use their own, often proprietary, metrics and don’t consult state or local fire agencies.)
Periodically OFSC leaders reached out to the Oakland Fire Department which responded that the Chief was taking the matter under consideration, that the existing maps were being used for the defensible space inspections, for example, and any changes would be announced well in advance.
Oakland City Council unanimously accepts OFD Chief’s recommendation
On June 18th, with little fanfare, OFD Chief Damon Covington presented a recommendation to the City Council that, instead of CAL FIRE’s February maps, Oakland should adopt the Wildfire Prevention Zone (WPZ) boundaries (the same language and map that was used in Measure MM) ”following a finding supported by substantial evidence in the record that the requirements of Government Code Section 51182 are necessary for effective fire protection within the area.” After a few questions, the Council voted unanimously to accept Chief Covington’s recommendation.
Oakland Mayor and Councilmembers from the WPZ weigh in on wildfire safety
In early July, Mayor Barbara Lee held a press conference in the Firestorm Memorial Garden (on Hiller Avenue near the site of the 1991 Oakland Hills Fire) and reaffirmed her campaign promise and 100 day plan to take wildfire prevention seriously. She specifically called out the goats and the important and extensive work that they do in the City. Council President Kevin Jenkins and Councilmember Janani Ramachandran, who represent most of the WPZ, were also present and they subsequently shared that message.
For the near term, there aren’t going to be any changes in Oakland’s maps.
This means that the Oakland Fire Department can give highest priority to the WPZ and there should be an increase in efforts due to the revenue from the parcel tax that passed last year. What the future holds for Zone Zero, the first five feet from structures, is not yet certain. CalFire is still working on the details and many people have questions about plants—all plants, only highly flammable plants, what about succulents? all trees, particular kinds of trees, trees that provide shade and habitat? OFD has said that they are waiting until the state decides its rules so they can decide whether they work for Oakland and make a timeline for implementation.
OFSC will continue to monitor those developments, so please stay tuned…
~ Elizabeth Stage, President of Oakland Firesafe Council