Preparing yourself, your household, and your community to respond to a wildfire
Berkeley, California (Wednesday, October 20, 2021) - As we remember the devastating impact of the October 20, 1991, Tunnel Fire, Berkeleyans should take steps to prepare for a wildfire prior to an emergency.
With each wildfire, we learn more about how we must adapt. Our past experience has taught us we must act based on weather conditions, rather than waiting for a fire to ignite. When the Berkeley Fire Department identifies rare days of "Extreme Fire Weather," the department advises that hills residents all have plans to leave early.
Acting early is the best way to ensure your safety in the event of a possible wildfire. Everyone can:
- Sign up for emergency notifications
- Know your evacuation zone
- Create your household fire weather plan
- Understand fire weather and warnings
- Watch wildfire readiness video series
- Perform a self-inspection to manage your household vegetation
Fire weather planning is even more important now as the severity and frequency of wildfires have increased. Fires that spread during Extreme Fire Weather conditions can quickly become catastrophic.
30th Anniversary of the 1991 Tunnel Fire
The October 20, 1991, Oakland/Berkeley hills fire ignited when conditions were within Berkeley's "Extreme Fire Weather" thresholds.
The Tunnel Fire burned for three days, killed 25 people, and destroyed 3,354 homes - 63 of which were in Berkeley. Fighting this fire required a strong mutual aid effort, and the City of Berkeley received support from over 75 fire companies from 22 California counties.
Since then, the Berkeley Fire Department has continued to improve its readiness to respond to a wildland fire by maintaining regional coordination with Contra Costa and Alameda Counties, East Bay Regional Parks District, and CalFire, as well as other local jurisdictions.
Planning decisions, emergency preparedness, and response
Since this historic fire, the City has implemented fire and emergency preventative policies, codes, and campaigns. Memories of this fire are present in the work the City does every day. Berkeley voters have passed multiple bond measures to increase the City of Berkeley's ability to prepare for and respond to emergencies. These bond measures include:
- Measure Q to purchase an emergency above ground water system to pump water when traditional systems fail
- Measure G to retrofit existing fire stations and construct Fire Station 7 in the hills
- Measure GG to improve emergency medical response and improve disaster preparedness throughout Berkeley
- Measure FF to improve firefighting response and enhance wildfire prevention and preparedness.
You can continue to support these efforts through your participation in Community Emergency Response Teams, learning sessions, and most importantly through how you prepare and respond to an emergency.
Take control and complete wildfire preparedness steps to protect yourself and your family.