Vicente Canyon Neighborhood Association

Fire Safety

OAKLAND

Below is a copy of a letter that the Fire Prevention Bureau of the Oakland Fire Department sent out, notifying residents of their vegetation management responsibilities:

Dear Property Owner,

Fire Season is just around the corner. Effective fire prevention measures will keep fires from starting and reduce hazards that could threaten your property and your neighbors' property should a wildfire occur. As a responsible property owner, you have a YEAR-ROUND responsibility and obligation to maintain the vegetation on your property in a condition that will not contribute to the spread of a fire.

This letter will provide information on the Oakland Fire Departments' Vegetation Management Program and enforcement schedule. Below are the General Compliance Standards outlining the minimum and fire hazard abatement requirements.

Beginning June 7th of this year, the Oakland Fire Department Engine Companies will begin inspecting properties to determine compliance with General Compliance Standards. This letter shall serve notice that your property must be in compliance with these standards by June 7th of this year.

If your property is NOT in compliance at the time of the initial Fire Company inspection, a reinspection of your property will occur on or after 15 days from the initial inspection. Properties that are NOT in compliance after the inspection WILL be assessed a $200 reinspection fee. The City will initiate immediate action to have the property brought into compliance. A tax lien will be placed on the property in an amount equal to the cost of the work performed plus the $200 reinspection fee, if not previously paid.


GENERAL COMPLIANCE STANDARDS
Please note: General Compliance Standards must be maintained year-round.


DEVELOPED LOTS (Lots with house or other building):

- Clear all flammable vegetation within 10 feet of the road, and within 30 feet of any building, including areas within 30 feet of a neighbor's structure in accordance with the Fire Abatement Requirements listed below.

- Clear all debris off roofs, including gutters.

- Remove tree limbs within 10 feet of chimney(s), 6 feet of the ground; and any dead material next to or overhanging a structure.

- Screen chimney outlets with 1/2 inch noncombustable mesh screen.

- Your address must be posted and clearly visible from roadside (min. height 2" w/ 1/4" stroke).


VACANT LOTS (1/2 acre or less):

- Clear entire property of flammable vegetation in accordance with the Fire Hazard Abatement Requirements below.


VACANT LOTS (greater than 1/2 acre):

- Clear perimeter with a minimum width of 30 feet around property line to the exterior boundaries of the property in accordance with the Fire Hazard Abatement Requirements below.


FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT REQUIREMENTS

- Cut dry grass, weeds, and brush to a height not to exceed 6".

- Remove dead materials from trees and shrubs.

- Remove lower limbs of trees (lower branches less than 4" in diameter, found within the first 6 feet of the ground).

- Remove all cut material from the area or chip all cut material and spread over site.

- Create islands of vegetation

BERKELEY

As far as I understand, the Berkeley Fire Department does not have a vegetation management enforcement schedule at this time, but they will be patrolling their jurisdiction and will cite properties that are considered to be hazardous.

For information from the Berkeley Fire Department, click the link below.

Email us
smattmann@mac.com

Fire Safety Hotlinks

Berkeley Fire Department Vegetation Management