Claremont Canyon Conservancy President, Jon Kauffman.
The rains we experienced over the past several months have been most welcome. Our yards and open space look healthy, our reservoirs are filling, and the sunny days in between give us a chance to enjoy the out of-doors. And the potential for wildfires through spring and early summer is lessened. Longer term, however, more rain means more growth and more fuel for wildfire accumulates.
The big issue for homeowners now is insurance. The companies are risk averse, increasing rates and even exiting the market, leaving many of us dependent on the State Fair Plan with both high rates and reduced coverage. Adding fuel to this fire are new, detailed maps from the Park District and CalFire that show wildfire risk at the level of individual neighborhoods. These maps will enable everyone to better understand their local risk environment and take steps to improve their defensible space and harden their homes. We plan to post these maps on our website.
United Policy Holders works to assist homeowners in finding coverage and our local FireSafe Councils (Oakland FireSafe Council and Berkeley FireSafe Council) are providing information to help homeowners reduce the risk of fire reaching their yards and houses.
The Conservancy has been leading an effort to build a regional wildfire prevention coordinating group among elected officials from local jurisdictions in the East Bay Hills. As of late March, the agencies that have signed the memorandum of understanding creating the coordinating group include Alameda and Contra Costa counties and their fire departments; the cities of Berkeley, El Cerrito, Oakland and Richmond; and the Rodeo Hercules Fire District. Others may join as well. The coordinating group’s initial organizational meeting is planned for April 29th.
While it will take time, we hope that if the insurance industry sees that we are working to prevent wildfires and reduce their potential damage, they will be more willing to write policies and make rates more reasonable.
On other fronts, our stewardship program continues to attract volunteers including UC undergrads, scout troops, and high school students from as far away as Fremont. Thanks so much to all our volunteers. And, thank you to those who stepped up during last fall’s membership drive. See pages 6-7 of our Fall 2024 Newsletter for a list of donors, including our Visionaries whose generosity ensures the continuation of our work.
