As I write this monthly message, the Apple Wildfire raging in Riverside County is spreading into San Bernardino County—and is currently only 12 percent contained. I'm afraid Californians are headed for a long, hot, dry fire season, including residents of the East Bay Hills. CalFire has designated our area as as a very high danger zone. There are some 17 local government agencies in the East Bay Hills, each responsible for both fighting and preventing wildfires. The agencies work well together to extinguish most smaller fires but, as fire officials advise, if a wildfire starts on a “Diablo” day, evacuation is likely the only recourse for residents. That makes prevention especially important. The 17 agencies need to work together to manage vegetation to reduce wildfire risk. That’s why the Conservancy and other community groups, including the Oakland Firesafe Council and public officials, are developing the concept of a Joint Powers Authority to coordinate and implement a vegetation management program in our East Bay wildlands and parks. To see what the Oakland Firesafe Council is doing to reduce risk on residential property click here.
