Fwd: Tell me your top Berkeley issue + latest wildfire safety updates
Diane Tokugawa
Begin forwarded message:From: Councilmember Brent Blackaby <br...@brentblackaby.com>Subject: Tell me your top Berkeley issue + latest wildfire safety updatesDate: February 6, 2026 at 10:45:26 AM PSTReply-To: br...@brentblackaby.com
February 6, 2026Dear Diane,
2026 is off to a strong start here in Berkeley.
Wildcat Canyon Road in Tilden Park has reopened, local Berkeley FireWise groups kicked off the year with a well-attended workshop on noncombustible gates and fences, and we came together for Berkeley’s Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast—a beautiful community gathering that echoed Dr. King’s powerful reminder that “only in the darkness can you see the stars.”
As we move forward together, I’d love to hear your dreams for our city, too. Please take a minute to watch this video, and then share your priorities, concerns and hopes with me below.
Take our survey:
https://survey.brentblackaby.comThis newsletter is chock full of wildfire safety updates:
- We’re encouraging residents in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) to apply for free grant funding to create defensible space around your homes. Claim these funds now to help make your home and your neighborhood safer from wildfire!
- I invite you to join us for a Zone Zero Landscape Design Webinar on the evening of February 19 with UC Berkeley professor Kristina Hill and her graduate students who will share ideas and inspiration for Zone Zero garden design.
- We’re also kicking off a new regular newsletter feature,spotlighting a local resident who is already making meaningful progress on her Zone Zero landscape.
- I strongly encourage those of you in the Grizzly Peak Mitigation Area to schedule a 1:1 EMBER home consultation now. Walking your property with a BFD inspector can help you understand what’s needed to comply with Zone Zero by answering your questions, identifying potential problem areas, and mapping out manageable next steps over the months ahead.
- These inspectors can also help guide you through the new WAMMR process, which I asked BFD to develop when passing the EMBER ordinance, to help individual homeowners find alternate ways to meet Zone Zero requirements given the unique conditions of their properties.
- Also, be sure to check out highlights from the recent gates and fences Firewise workshop—there’s a wealth of useful information and photos you won’t want to miss.
Read on below for more details on all these items, and more.
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to serve you on the Berkeley City Council!P.S. I’m starting a new Substack blog & newsletter to document my family’s path toward EMBER compliance. I hope you’ll follow along as we track our progress!
FREE GRANT FUNDING FOR VEGETATION MANAGEMENT
The Resident Assistance Program (RAP) is available to residents in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Funded by a CAL FIRE grant, RAP offers financial and/or logistical support to eligible residents to help them with vegetation mitigation to make properties safer from wildfire.
If you are over 65 OR have a physical disability OR financial limitations, you are eligible for a grant! In some cases—such as language barriers or difficulty finding a contractor—residents may receive help coordinating services even if they do not meet the eligibility criteria.
- Learn more about the Resident Assistance Program here
- Find out if your property is located in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Just select “Filter by Address” in the red bar on the left and enter your address.
SCHEDULE AN EMBER HOME CONSULTATION
I encourage homeowners in the Grizzly Peak Mitigation Area to schedule an early EMBER inspection. This is an opportunity to walk your property with an inspector, understand what steps are needed for compliance, and ask questions specific to your home. The Berkeley Fire Department has already completed more than 300 inspections.
Schedule a time for your 1:1 EMBER home consultation here.
JOIN US FOR A ZONE ZERO LANDSCAPE DESIGN WEBINAR -- FEBRUARY 19, 7-8:30 PM
Explore what’s possible with Zone Zero landscaping and get inspired by innovative design ideas. Kristina Hill, Associate Professor of Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, and Environmental Planning, along with her graduate students, will showcase a range of creative and practical design concepts they developed for 3 specific homes in the Grizzly Peak Mitigation Area.
Register now to attend the Zone Zero landscaping webinar!
INTRODUCING WAMMR: WILDFIRE ALTERNATE MEANS & MEASURES REQUESTS
Berkeley's Fire Code sets out clear vegetation management standards for homes in fire hazard zones, including EMBER's new Zone Zero requirements.
But we also realize that specific homes may have unique site conditions or sensitivities that make blanket compliance difficult, such as environmental concerns, a special plant a homeowner wishes to retain, or physical constraints of the property.
That's why, when we passed EMBER last June, I asked BFD to develop a process to help homeowners find alternate ways to meet Zone Zero requirements, while still providing an equivalent or greater level of wildfire protection.
Learn more about BFD's new WAMMR process here.
GATES AND FENCES DAY WAS A STUPENDOUS SUCCESS!
Nearly 200 people attended the Gates and Fences Workshop on January 25, hosted by HelpBerkeley in partnership with Berkeley FireWise Groups.
The event opened with a brief 10-minute presentation by Michel Thouati, who outlined EMBER requirements for gates and fences and highlighted a range of design and material options. Attendees then received a handout and had time to speak directly with invited vendors, ask questions, and explore solutions tailored to their homes.
Get information and resources about noncombustible gates and fences here.
RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT: MAKING PROGRESS ON EMBER
Nina Barton has made impressive progress toward Zone Zero compliance by relocating most vegetation at least five feet away from her home and exploring replacement options for the fencing that directly connects to the house.
She has also taken proactive home-hardening steps, including screening vents and gutters—one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce wildfire risk.
In addition, Nina has upgraded all of her windows to double-paned. Thanks, Nina, for making your home more firesafe—to protect your home and your neighborhood!
CITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY PASSES MY RESOLUTION CONDEMNING ICE ACTIVITIES IN MINNESOTA
Last week, I authored a resolution alongside Mayor Adena Ishii, Councilmember Terry Taplin, and Councilmember Cecilia Lunaparra condemning Operation Metro Surge, demanding the firings of Kristi Noem and DHS leadership, calling for the abolishment of ICE, and showing solidarity with the peaceful protesters in Minneapolis and across the country.
As a Sanctuary City, Berkeley speaks with one voice. My City Council colleagues and I unanimously passed our resolution.
We all know we must continue to do more to stand up to the injustice of the Trump Administration, every day. But this was one way we could make our voices heard and fight back.
STAY CONNECTED WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
This year's MLK Breakfast with Ruben Lizardo (UC Berkeley's Local Government & Community Relations Director), Hanna Wodaje and Laurie McWhorter (from our team), and Kaelon Colston (High School Awardee Recipient)
Join us on social media for daily updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and important announcements.
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Office of Councilmember Brent Blackaby
2180 Milvia St, 5th Floor
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 981-7160
bbla...@berkeleyca.gov
www.BrentBlackaby.com
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