Berkeley officials outline 'Amber' wildfire package, refer code changes to staff and adopt Safe Passages

Fire department leaders on Feb. 11 presented a multipronged wildfire risk-reduction plan called the Amber initiative, urging the City Council to adopt a mix of fire-code amendments, building-code updates and evacuation measures focused on Panorama Hill and the eastern hills between Grizzly Peak and Wildcat Canyon.

Chief Sprague, who led the presentation, said the Los Angeles fires and other recent conflagrations show that wind-driven fires will continue to threaten East Bay neighborhoods and that ‘‘we can learn to live with fire’’ by combining defensible-space measures with home hardening. He proposed adopting a focused buffer (called Zone 4) and requiring ‘‘Zone 0’’ defensible space—removal of combustible material within five feet of structures—in the highest-risk areas. ‘‘We cannot let Los Angeles be just another disaster,’’ Sprague said, arguing that clustered mitigations at likely entry points produce network effects that reduce community risk.

A department presenter summarized modeling showing how fast-moving ember and wind-driven fires find predictable pathways into the built environment and said defensible space and home hardening together produce the majority of potential risk reduction. The staff presentation also cited studies that tie mitigation density to lower insurance exposure and lower average annual loss for high-risk neighborhoods.

City staff also described recent program work: nearly 7,000 cubic yards of vegetation removed; roughly 21,000 inspections that produced about 11,000 violations (9,000 corrected); distribution of home-hardening mesh and gutter guards to homeowners; and plans to use a $1,000,000 CAL FIRE grant in 2025 to assist qualifying residents. Staff said a small resident-assistance pilot provides about $2,900 per qualifying household for defensible-space work and that the city would pursue additional grants and incentives for larger home-hardening measures.

Sarah Lana, director of the Office of Emergency Services (introduced by staff), outlined the evacuation strategy. Lana said Berkeley’s ‘‘spaghetti streets’’ and narrow hill roads will not support mass evacuation during extreme fire weather and argued for ‘‘leave early’’ guidance triggered by conservative weather thresholds coordinated with the National Weather Service and for designated Safe Passages corridors to keep evacuation routes clear.

Public comment was extensive and largely supportive. Dozens of residents, former elected officials, Firewise and Fire Safe Council representatives and local experts said Berkeley must act, voiced support for Zone 0 and home hardening, and urged financial assistance, phased implementation and robust outreach. At the same time, commenters raised concerns about costs and equity, potential insurance impacts and the logistics of enforcing zone rules (particularly for residents who live adjacent to large eucalyptus stands or who are house-rich but cash-poor). Several speakers pressed the council to produce clearer maps, timelines, funding options and refuge/evacuation plans for vulnerable residents.

Council members praised the department’s evidence-based approach, asked staff for clearer charts tying rules to specific hazard zones, and pushed for a short-term plan to identify funding tools (special assessments, Mello-Roos-like mechanisms, Measure FF allocations and state grants). Council discussion repeatedly requested an implementation timeline that distinguishes education from enforcement and that identifies when building-code triggers would apply (for remodels, at time of sale, or only on major renovation).

Council member (speaker 42) moved to refer the fire-code and building-code amendment items (items 1a–1c) back to staff for additional community outreach, refinement and final versions for March consideration, and to adopt item 1d (implementation of the Safe Passages program). The motion was seconded; the mayor called for the ayes and the motion carried.

Next steps: staff will return with revised code and building-code proposals, clearer applicability charts, a funding/finance briefing and an implementation timeline; the Safe Passages program will proceed as adopted. The council paused for a break and then adjourned the special meeting.