Wildfire Resilience

Key Advocacy Goal

To minimize the risk of catastrophic wildfire in the East Bay by using proactive vegetation management which is ecologically sound.

Support the development and retention of well-trained, dedicated and productive employees
Participate in partnerships with public agencies, nonprofit organizations, volunteers and the private sector to achieve mutual goals

In a November 2021 survey, 99% of respondents believed managing flammable vegetation to reduce wildfire risk to be extremely/very/somewhat important.
In this same survey, 95% identified improved wildfire and public safety response by increasing firefighters, equipment and updated communications systems to be extremely/very/somewhat important.
In a May 2021 survey, 86% of respondents found protecting against catastrophic wildfires to be extremely/very important.
On - going drought conditions, dry and dying vegetation, and increased tree mortality across the East Bay require additional resources to manage fire resilient, safe, healthy forests. We need to increase funding for fire protection equipment and additional firefighters to protect our community from catastrophic wildfire.” In a November 2021 survey, 83% of respondents found this argument for increased wildfire funding investments convincing.

The following legislative initiatives are supported by the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors and Legislative Committee:

AB 1500 (Garcia D-Coachella) Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparation, Flood Protection, Extreme Heat Mitigation and Workforce Development Bond Act of 2022
AB 9 (Wood D-Santa Rosa) Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Program
SB 332 (Dodd D-Napa) Insurance for Prescribed Burn Supervisors
SB 63 (Stern D-Los Angeles) Defensible Space Standards
AB 909 (Frazier D-Discovery Bay) Wildfire Risk Assessment Map
AB 1255 (Bloom D-Santa Monica) Fire Prevention Local Assistance Grant Program
SB 456 (Laird D-Santa Cruz) Long Term Forest Management Plan