# News **URL:** https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/c/news/31.md [Latest](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/latest.md) · [Categories](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/categories.md) · [Tags](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/tags.md) --- ## [🚨 Current News 🚨](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/current-news/120)
**Author:** [@system](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/u/system)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2025, 5:58pm UTC](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/current-news/120 "2025-02-21T17:58:46Z")
News 2026-08-22: First Ever Zone 0 Fire Resilient Art in the Garden Show at ACCI! 2026-08-05 DIY Noncombustible Garden Art 2026-07-14 Starting a new Firewise or DPN neighborhood group? Apply for this grant! 2026-07-… --- ## [2026-08-22: First Ever Zone 0 Fire Resilient Art in the Garden Show at ACCI!](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2026-08-22-first-ever-zone-0-fire-resilient-art-in-the-garden-show-at-acci/577)
**Author:** [@system](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/u/system)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2026, 4:54pm UTC](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2026-08-22-first-ever-zone-0-fire-resilient-art-in-the-garden-show-at-acci/577 "2026-08-06T16:54:45Z")
On August 22, 2026, Berkeley’s own Arts and Crafts Cooperative Gallery is opening the first-in-kind noncombustible garden art show focused on wildfire mitigation, Zone 0: New Opportunities for Art in the Garden! The … --- ## [Starting a new Firewise or DPN Group? Apply for this mini-grant!](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/starting-a-new-firewise-or-dpn-group-apply-for-this-mini-grant/565)
**Author:** [@system](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/u/system)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2026, 7:50pm UTC](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/starting-a-new-firewise-or-dpn-group-apply-for-this-mini-grant/565 "2026-07-15T19:50:44Z")
Our outstanding Berkeley Disaster Preparedness Neighborhood Network has launched a mini-grant program to support disaster preparedness efforts. Existing neighborhood groups and community organizations can apply for up t… --- ## [April 11 Volunteer Weekend: neighbors helping neighbors](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/april-11-volunteer-weekend-neighbors-helping-neighbors/592)
**Author:** [@EricWeaver](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/u/EricWeaver)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2026, 7:00am UTC](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/april-11-volunteer-weekend-neighbors-helping-neighbors/592 "2026-04-22T07:00:00Z")
Wildfire prevention: neighbors helping neighbors. There is no doubt that EMBER creates financial costs for residents of the Grizzly Peak Mitigation Area. This is particularly true for seniors on fixed income who make u… --- ## [April 11 Volunteer Weekend: Mayor Ishii and Brent Blackaby roll up their sleeves!](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/april-11-volunteer-weekend-mayor-ishii-and-brent-blackaby-roll-up-their-sleeves/591)
**Author:** [@EricWeaver](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/u/EricWeaver)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2026, 7:00am UTC](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/april-11-volunteer-weekend-mayor-ishii-and-brent-blackaby-roll-up-their-sleeves/591 "2026-04-19T07:00:00Z")
Wildfire prevention: Mayor Ishii and Brent Blackaby roll up their sleeves! What do Council Member Brent Blackaby and Mayor Adena Ishii have in common? They are hands-on leaders. They came out on a blustery and rainy S… --- ## [April 11 Volunteer Weekend: Be a part of the solution!](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/april-11-volunteer-weekend-be-a-part-of-the-solution/590)
**Author:** [@EricWeaver](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/u/EricWeaver)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2026, 7:00am UTC](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/april-11-volunteer-weekend-be-a-part-of-the-solution/590 "2026-04-16T07:00:00Z")
Wildfire prevention: be a part of the solution. The April 11 neighborhood wildfire cleanup day sponsored by the Berkeley Ridge Firewise Neighborhood Groups and HelpBerkeley, and largely funded by a UC Chancellor’s Commu… --- ## [April 11 Volunteer Weekend: many hands make light work!](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/april-11-volunteer-weekend-many-hands-make-light-work/589)
**Author:** [@EricWeaver](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/u/EricWeaver)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2026, 7:00am UTC](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/april-11-volunteer-weekend-many-hands-make-light-work/589 "2026-04-13T07:00:00Z")
Wildfire prevention: many hands make light work! On April 11, the Berkeley Ridge Firewise Groups and HelpBerkeley held their second successful annual neighborhood wildfire prevention day! The weekend was funded in grea… --- ## [BerkeleyFirewise's new blue, gold and red Favicon!](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/berkeleyfirewises-new-blue-gold-and-red-favicon/486)
**Author:** [@MichelThouati](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/u/MichelThouati)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2025, 4:55pm UTC](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/berkeleyfirewises-new-blue-gold-and-red-favicon/486 "2025-11-12T16:55:17Z")
Berkeley Firewise just added its new favicon to the site settings, and can now be more easily found among your browsers’ tabs! The favicon is composed of a blue B for Berkeley on a field of gold, following the genera… --- ## [2025-05-03 Early Lessons from the SoCal Fires by Chief Revilla of BFD](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2025-05-03-early-lessons-from-the-socal-fires-by-chief-revilla-of-bfd/328)
**Author:** [@system](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/u/system)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2025, 7:55am UTC](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2025-05-03-early-lessons-from-the-socal-fires-by-chief-revilla-of-bfd/328 "2025-05-07T07:55:41Z")
Chief Kevin Revilla, of the Berkeley Fire Department, gave this presentation at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church On May 3, 2025. There was an audience of approximately 60 people, and numerous questions followed. The… --- ## [2025-03-31 Berkeley Fire Map Survey needs your comments by tomorrow 5:00 PM](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2025-03-31-berkeley-fire-map-survey-needs-your-comments-by-tomorrow-5-00-pm/297)
**Author:** [@cullanderc](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/u/cullanderc)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2025, 7:00am UTC](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2025-03-31-berkeley-fire-map-survey-needs-your-comments-by-tomorrow-5-00-pm/297 "2025-03-31T07:00:00Z")
The City of Berkeley’s fire map survey deadline is tomorrow (April 1st) at 5 pm. The City Council will consider these comments at the 2nd reading of Berkeley Fire’s EMBER proposal on April 15th. All residents of prop… --- ## [2025-03-17 First wildfire-focused satellite makes it into space](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2025-03-17-first-wildfire-focused-satellite-makes-it-into-space/276)
**Author:** [@system](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/u/system)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2025, 5:14am UTC](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2025-03-17-first-wildfire-focused-satellite-makes-it-into-space/276 "2025-03-18T05:14:40Z")
The first satellite dedicated to wildfire detection made it into orbit on Spacex’ Transporter-13 mission on March 15, 2025: "The first satellite for the FireSat constellation officially made contact with Earth. This sat… --- ## [2025-03-12 Fireproofing a house: interviews with two leading architects](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2025-03-12-fireproofing-a-house-interviews-with-two-leading-architects/262)
**Author:** [@BetsyS](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/u/BetsyS)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2025, 8:44pm UTC](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2025-03-12-fireproofing-a-house-interviews-with-two-leading-architects/262 "2025-03-12T20:44:43Z")
source: Amato Architecture through East Bay Magazine This house, designed by Rebecca Amato, survived the great fire of 2017 that destroyed Lahaina. This very interesting article just appeared in East Bay Magazine. E… --- ## [2025-03-10 A concerning issue: Summit Reservoir shrank from 37M to 3.5M gal](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2025-03-10-a-concerning-issue-summit-reservoir-shrank-from-37m-to-3-5m-gal/252)
**Author:** [@system](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/u/system)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2025, 6:28pm UTC](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2025-03-10-a-concerning-issue-summit-reservoir-shrank-from-37m-to-3-5m-gal/252 "2025-03-10T18:28:48Z")
source: Google Maps In 2019, EBMUD “upgraded” Summit Reservoir: "EBMUD replaced the old Summit Reservoir and Shasta-Woods Pumping Plant located on the Berkeley/ Kensington border in December 2019. Construction inclu… --- ## [2025-03-03 Chipper Day reservations are open!](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2025-03-03-chipper-day-reservations-are-open/213)
**Author:** [@system](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/u/system)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2025, 9:20pm UTC](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2025-03-03-chipper-day-reservations-are-open/213 "2025-03-03T21:20:08Z")
The Chipper Day Reservations are now open for 2025! Rules: Chipper Program — Fire Safe Berkeley Where to make a reservation: Chipper Days --- ## [2025-03-01 CalFire simplifies adoption process of Wildland Urban Interface regulations by local jurisdictions](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2025-03-01-calfire-simplifies-adoption-process-of-wildland-urban-interface-regulations-by-local-jurisdictions/199)
**Author:** [@cullanderc](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/u/cullanderc)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2025, 9:15pm UTC](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2025-03-01-calfire-simplifies-adoption-process-of-wildland-urban-interface-regulations-by-local-jurisdictions/199 "2025-03-01T21:15:47Z")
This week, CalFire announced the adoption of the 2025 edition of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code (CWUI). It will take effect on Jan 1, 2026. There are no changes to requirements, but the different wildfire … --- ## [2025-02-27 More evacuation workshops offered in the next few weeks](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2025-02-27-more-evacuation-workshops-offered-in-the-next-few-weeks/182)
**Author:** [@JenniferBraun](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/u/JenniferBraun)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2025, 8:35pm UTC](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2025-02-27-more-evacuation-workshops-offered-in-the-next-few-weeks/182 "2025-02-27T20:35:45Z")
For people who are interested but can’t make the March 8th workshop, 1-3 pm at the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 401 Grizzly Peak Ave, there are additional evacuation classes coming up: Tonight (2/27) on zoom, … --- ## [2025-02-27 Warning: missing a home insurance payment may now mean cancellation](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2025-02-27-warning-missing-a-home-insurance-payment-may-now-mean-cancellation/185)
**Author:** [@cullanderc](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/u/cullanderc)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2025, 12:12am UTC](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2025-02-27-warning-missing-a-home-insurance-payment-may-now-mean-cancellation/185 "2025-02-28T00:12:30Z")
The information was just shared with us by an independent insurance broker. In the past, if you missed a payment deadline, the insurer would usually give you a few days grace. Not so now - missing a payment deadline… --- ## [2025-02-28 Home in revocable trust? List it as "additional named insured"](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2025-02-28-home-in-revocable-trust-list-it-as-additional-named-insured/192)
**Author:** [@cullanderc](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/u/cullanderc)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2025, 10:06pm UTC](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2025-02-28-home-in-revocable-trust-list-it-as-additional-named-insured/192 "2025-02-28T22:06:21Z")
“United Policyholders (UP) is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization whose mission is to be a trustworthy and useful information resource and an effective voice for consumers of all types of insurance in all 50 states”:… --- ## [2025-02-25 CalFire publishes new wildfire severity maps for Alameda County](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2025-02-25-calfire-publishes-new-wildfire-severity-maps-for-alameda-county/161)
**Author:** [@MichelThouati](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/u/MichelThouati)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2025, 8:18pm UTC](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2025-02-25-calfire-publishes-new-wildfire-severity-maps-for-alameda-county/161 "2025-02-25T20:18:37Z")
CalFire just released new draft wildfire severity maps for Alameda County and other counties in the north-central part of California. This is part of a rollout across the state that will happen over two months. The ne… --- ## [2025-02-22: Opinion---Why California’s plan to harden homes against wildfires is broken](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2025-02-22-opinion-why-california-s-plan-to-harden-homes-against-wildfires-is-broken/130)
**Author:** [@system](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/u/system)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2025, 5:59pm UTC](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2025-02-22-opinion-why-california-s-plan-to-harden-homes-against-wildfires-is-broken/130 "2025-02-22T17:59:17Z")
This interesting opinion piece in the SF Chronicle analyzes why, in the opinion of the writer, our home insurance system is broken. The primary thought is that average home insurance prices in CA are much lower than thos… --- ## [2025-02-10 Fire Propagation into North Berkeley: XyloPlan Notes](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2025-02-10-fire-propagation-into-north-berkeley-xyloplan-notes/116)
**Author:** [@MichelThouati](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/u/MichelThouati)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2025, 8:00am UTC](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2025-02-10-fire-propagation-into-north-berkeley-xyloplan-notes/116 "2025-02-10T08:00:00Z")
These schematic notes come from a 02/10/25 XyloPlan Zoom presentation. To our understanding (which may be faulty), Alameda County and the City of Berkeley contracted with a company that specializes in fire propagation s… --- ## [2025-02-07 Berkeley Fire Department Proposes a new Zone 4 and the EMBER initiative](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2025-02-07-berkeley-fire-department-proposes-a-new-zone-4-and-the-ember-initiative/76)
**Author:** [@ruthe](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/u/ruthe)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2025, 8:00am UTC](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2025-02-07-berkeley-fire-department-proposes-a-new-zone-4-and-the-ember-initiative/76 "2025-02-07T08:00:00Z")
Following the LA fires, the Berkeley Fire Department has brought new fire regulation policies before the City Council. EMBER (Effective Mitigations for Berkeley’s Ember Resilience) if passed will create a new Zone 4 in … --- ## [2025-02-05 Berkeley Fire Department Responds with New Wildfire Prevention Rules](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2025-02-05-berkeley-fire-department-responds-with-new-wildfire-prevention-rules/80)
**Author:** [@ruthe](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/u/ruthe)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2025, 8:00am UTC](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2025-02-05-berkeley-fire-department-responds-with-new-wildfire-prevention-rules/80 "2025-02-05T08:00:00Z")
BFD works to provide increase defensive measures in Berkeley’s highest risk area, along the wildland-urban interface. --- ## [2025-01-16 IBHS's early insights into the 2025 LA wildfires](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2025-01-16-ibhss-early-insights-into-the-2025-la-wildfires/104)
**Author:** [@system](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/u/system)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2025, 8:00am UTC](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2025-01-16-ibhss-early-insights-into-the-2025-la-wildfires/104 "2025-01-16T08:00:00Z")
IBHS has just published an early, preliminary discussion of the 2025 LA wildfires: --- ## [2025-01-12 Fire Chief David Sprague provides guidance on fire protection in light of LA fires](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2025-01-12-fire-chief-david-sprague-provides-guidance-on-fire-protection-in-light-of-la-fires/73)
**Author:** [@ruthe](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/u/ruthe)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2025, 8:00am UTC](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2025-01-12-fire-chief-david-sprague-provides-guidance-on-fire-protection-in-light-of-la-fires/73 "2025-01-12T08:00:00Z")
Be ready to receive emergency alerts, stop fires from reaching your property and make a plan to leave during extreme fire weather. Chief David Sprague provides important information to Berkeley residents. --- ## [2024-10-18 Extreme Fire Weather Alert in Berkeley](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2024-10-18-extreme-fire-weather-alert-in-berkeley/253)
**Author:** [@system](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/u/system)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2024, 7:00am UTC](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2024-10-18-extreme-fire-weather-alert-in-berkeley/253 "2024-10-18T07:00:00Z")
For the first time since 2020, Berkeley called an Extreme Fire Weather Alert for Fire Zones 2 and 3. Extreme Fire Weather, a Berkeley-specific alert, indicates extreme conditions during Red Flag days where wildfire can … --- ## [2024-10-03 Wildfire Season Comes Around Again: Maintenance Required](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2024-10-03-wildfire-season-comes-around-again-maintenance-required/81)
**Author:** [@ruthe](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/u/ruthe)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2024, 7:00am UTC](https://www.berkeleyfirewise.org/t/2024-10-03-wildfire-season-comes-around-again-maintenance-required/81 "2024-10-03T07:00:00Z")
Removing vegetation from the landscape is happening along the Berkeley ridgeline.