Corpus Christi Fire Department firemen head to a firetruck at Oso Creek Park off Safety Steel Drive in Corpus Christi, Texas, on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
Berkley, California – In a unanimous decision last Tuesday, Berkeley city supervisors voted to advance a sweeping fire safety ordinance requiring homeowners in high-risk wildfire zones to remove all combustible materials within five feet of their homes. The proposed law, if approved in a final City Council vote on May 8, would take effect January 1, 2026.
The ordinance is part of the EMBER initiative — Effective Mitigations for Berkeley’s Ember Resilience — and targets around 900 homes located in “Zone 0,” the ember-resistant area closest to wildfire-prone regions such as Tilden Regional Park and Panoramic Hill.
Under the ordinance, homeowners must remove flammable items including wood fences, plastic containers, and even trees and plants within the designated five-foot perimeter. Noncompliance could result in steep fines of up to $500 per day, reinspection fees of $98 per 15-minute visit, and potential misdemeanor charges for repeated violations.
The move comes amid heightened concern following recent devastating wildfires in Los Angeles and Berkeley’s own history of destructive blazes, such as the 1923 fire that raced from Euclid Avenue to Shattuck.
Berkeley Fire Chief David Sprague told the council that a pilot program estimated the average cost to clear the required “Zone 0” area at $2,900 per property. He noted that a $1 million Cal Fire grant and Measure FF emergency funds will help offset some of the costs.
The ordinance drew mixed reactions from residents during public comment. Ruth Ehrenkrantz voiced strong support: “Do we want to hold on to our insurance? We do. Science is clear. This is one of the most important actions a fire-prone homeowner can take.”
Others, like longtime resident Eric Weaver, acknowledged the personal costs but saw the broader benefits: “Yes, it’s tough on my garden. But this isn’t a Hills versus Flats issue — this benefits the whole city.”
District 8 Supervisor Mark Humbert recognized the emotional weight of removing mature trees but emphasized the fire risks posed by species like eucalyptus and Monterey pine.
Berkeley joins cities like South Lake Tahoe and Woodside in getting ahead of state wildfire regulations. While California passed a law in 2020 requiring Zone 0 mitigation statewide, the rules remain in the pre-rulemaking phase as state officials seek funding for implementation.
If approved next month, Berkeley’s ordinance would become one of the strictest local wildfire preparedness laws in California.
