Regional Priority Plan Ranked - Round 1

Written By Robyn Graham

Thank you for submitting proposals to the Contra Costa and Alameda County Regional Priority Plan (RPP). Over 20 submissions were received and we now have them categorized by theme and ranked by priority.

We are accepting proposals through 2026! Check our Regional Priority Plan page for more details.

Regional Priority Plan (RPP) Ranked Proposals, Round One

Prepared by Diablo Firesafe Council

March 7, 2025

Key

Rank 1 = High Priority

Rank 2 = Medium Priority

Rank 3 = Lower Priority

Table of Contents

    1. Fuel reduction, defensible space, Zone 0, home hardening, fuel breaks, (including community protection, SFB) 
      1. A. Partners in Wildfire Prevention, Cost-Share Matching Program for Defensible Space Continuation and Expansion - Rank 1
      2. B. Portable Water Supply for Aerial Firefighting Operations, submitted by CCCFPD - Rank 1
      3. C. Shaded Fuel Break, submitted by CCCFPD - Rank 1
      4. D. Orinda Fuel Break, submitted by CCCFPD - Rank 1
      5. E. El Cerrito Vegetation Management and Fuel Reduction, submitted by CCCFPD - Rank 1
      6. F. The Cerrito Creek Supplemental Assistance Program; Submitted by City of Berkeley Fire Department - Rank 1
      7. G. Submitted by the City of El Cerrito, Implementation of the Hillside Natural Area Fire Resilience and Forest Conservation Management Plan - Rank 1
      8.  H. East Bay Hills Ridgetop Shaded Firebreak Extension Project - Rank 2
      9. I. Submitted by the Orinda Downs Owners Association (ODOA) through Jon Kotowski; Expand fire abatement effort on 155 acres of conservation open space in North Orinda owned and maintained by the ODOA - Rank 2
      10. J. Submitted by the John Muir Land Trust. The is for Watershed Scale Landscape Erosion Preservation and Fire Prevention Measures through appropriate Grazing Management Support Infrastructure - Rank 2
    2. Emergency preparedness, evacuation, increased inspection capacity
      1. K. Evacuation Planning for High-Risk Communities in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties - Rank 2
      2. L. Red Curbing & No Parking Signage – Submitted by Berkeley Fire Department. Targeted red-curbing/signage based on  KLD Engineering evacuation time study outcomes - Rank 3
      3. M. Wildfire Evacuation Signage along Primary Egress Roadways. Wildfire Evacuation Route Signage – Submitted by Berkeley Fire Department - Rank 2
    3. Equipment, personnel, and water storage capacity building
      1. N. Alert Wildfire Cameras in the Tri-Valley; Submitted by Matt Thau, Livermore Fire Department - Rank 1
      2. O. One year of funding for expanded youthworks internship opportunities. Youthworks Internships – Submitted by Berkeley Fire Department- Rank 2
      3. P. Los Vaqueros Watershed livestock water project for rangeland fuel management - Rank 2
    4. Fire education and outreach
      1. Q. Create a Comprehensive Home-Hardening and Zone-Zero Training Program for Homeowners Throughout Alameda and Contra Costa Counties - Rank 1
      2.  R. Home Hardening Incentives Supporting Firewise Communities - Rank 2
      3. S. Landscape and Pest Control Professionals Wildfire Education. The proposal aims at enlisting these professionals as allies in making their clients’ homes more ignition-resistant and to increase home survivability) in Alameda County and Contra Costa County (via) Assistance to Fire Agencies. - Rank 3
      4. T. Renovate the Gateway Garden and Exhibit Center as a demonstration East Bay firesafe garden; submitted by Fred Booker - Rank 3
    5. Fundraising and communications capacity building with new technologies 
      1. U. Wildfire and Smoke Detection and Alert System – Submitted by Berkeley Fire Department - Rank 2
    6. Increased coordination, including community-building, resource-sharing, long-term planning, and management
      1. V. Submitted by the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District, Prescribed Grazing Plan Creation and Implementation -Rank 1
      2. W. Wildfire Resilience Regional Planning and Implementation (mostly Contra Costa County). Submitted by the John Muir Land Trust. This would be for capacity and operational support to utilize the East Bay Civicorps on fire prevention and planning measures on John Muir Land Trust Lands. - Rank 1
      3. X. Submitted by the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District, California Grazing Exchange Promotion amongst un-grazed landowners - Rank 2
    7. Broadening prescribed burning capacity
      1. Y. Control Burning as Wildlife Enhancement and Restoration - Rank 1
      2. Z. Submitted by the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District, Investigation, Creation, and Formation of the East Bay Prescribed Burn Association - Rank 2
    8. Forest health and sustainable solutions
      1. BB. The San Leandro Creek Watershed. Submitted by EBRPD - Rank 1

Fuel reduction, defensible space, Zone 0, home hardening, fuel breaks, (including community protection, SFB) 

A. Partners in Wildfire Prevention, Cost-Share Matching Program for Defensible Space Continuation and Expansion - Rank 1

Recommendation: This proposal continues the existing, successful, established defensible space matching funds program managed by Diablo Firesafe Council. 

Current funding for this program will expire in 2025 and DFSC seeks new funding. In addition, we also seek to expand the program through targeted outreach to underserved communities in Alameda County and Contra Costa County. Identify communities at risk due to high fuel-loads and lack of resources to reduce vegetation. Examples include San Leandro hills and hills above Castro Valley. As part of an organized large-scale fuel-reduction project, create an award system for affordable actions taken by neighbors who have cleared code violations to remove fuels. Also create a cost-share matching fund for neighborhood groups that do have the ability to expend some funds on their own or contribute sweat equity to earn a match. 

Implementation Actions: 

  • Promotional flier created and distributed throughout both counties to promote the cost-share matching fund

  • Process applications from neighbor groups for cost-share matching funds for their group’s fuel reduction work

  • Outreach to neighborhoods with multiple code violations to organize fuel reduction work to bring them into compliance

  • Outreach in Spanish and other languages to encourage participation by underserved groups.

  • Support neighborhood groups through the entire application process and successful completion of their fuel-reduction projects to earn their cost-share match.

  • Provide matching funds to successful projects.

  • Provide outright support to SNAP recipients through this project (low-income, disabled, veterans, unable to provide cash or sweat equity match and cited by local fire inspectors).

Lead and Partners: Diablo Firesafe Council with Berkeley Fire Department and Alameda County Fire Department and other partners as determined.

Time frame: Ready to implement 2025, full reach throughout the county by 2027.

Estimated Funding Need: $$$ for cost-share matching fund, $$$ for personnel, promotional materials, and outreach.

______________

B. Portable Water Supply for Aerial Firefighting Operations, submitted by CCCFPD - Rank 1

Recommendation, Implementation, and Priority Action:

Placement of 6 portable water supply sites (according to industry standard) to support regional, multijurisdictional, and mutual aid assets aerial firefighting operations.  Multiple regional (agency and cross county supervisory districts) funding options are sought for both site preparation and devices.  Sites and devices, with night use capability (NVG lighting), will support the safety network for at-risk and socially vulnerable communities to protect life, property and environment in the WUI with limited ingress/egress of residents and responding crews for during a catastrophic event.  

Lead and Partners:

CCCFPD, San Ramon Fire District, Moraga-Orinda Fire District, El Cerrito Fire Department, CAL Fire, East Bay Municipal Utility District, Contra Costa Water District, Fire Safe Councils, Marathon/Phillips 66, Contra Costa Sheriffs Department

Time Frame:  1 year

Estimated Funding Need  $571,800 ($95,300 per unit x 6)

1. Pod with lighting and wired for remote later: $63,699.59

2. Helo pod with lighting and remote control: $103,209.59

Plan A.

Purchase 6 Helo Pods with lighting and wired for a future purchase of remote control.

$63,699.59 X 6 = $382,197.54

Remote control purchase at a later stage: $36,000.00 X 6 = $216,000

Plan B.

Purchase fully loaded Helo pod and move for future funding.

Pod, remote, lighting: $103,209.59 X 3 = $309,628.77

Leaving funds for site prep ect: $90,371.23

_________

C. Shaded Fuel Break, submitted by CCCFPD - Rank 1

Recommendation: Project currently on hold for additional funding based on size of the project.  This project involves removal of ladder fuels and dead and down vegetation by creating burn piles on the uphill side of Wildcat Canyon Road from Camino Pablo to El Toyonal in Orinda.  The area to be treated is part of the 2019 North Orinda Shaded Fuel Break Project.  The piled material would be burned in the Spring or Fall 24/25.  This entry will prepare the area for additional understory burning to maintain the shaded fuel break.  This is a critical area where a roadside fire start could be pushed by north winds into the surrounding neighborhoods of El Toyonal, Monte Vista, and beyond.  There is also a unique opportunity to conduct the fuel modification, pile and understory burning while this portion of Wildcat Canyon Road is closed to vehicular traffic awaiting significant road (landslide) repairs.  On common ground and/or open space.

Lead and Partners:  Moraga-Orinda Fire District, CEQA Monitoring, CCCFPD Crew 12

Time Frame:  Spring 2025

Estimated Funding Need:  $132,881.25 (based on Crew Cost + CEQA)

__________

D. Orinda Fuel Break, submitted by CCCFPD - Rank 1

Recommendation and Implementation: Fuel break for compliance with fire code, weed abatement, and tree limbing.  100 ft. wide x 3,000 ft. long next to Highway 24 in Orinda (501 Orindawoods Drive).  On common ground and/or open space with slope access.  Potential work between 10am and 3pm to minimize traffic impacts.  CHP potentially would need to provide traffic support (closure of one lane).  Project currently on hold for additional funding based on the size of the project.

Priority Action:  Medium Complexity, High Priority

Lead and Partners:  Moraga Orinda Fire District, CalTrans, CHP, CEQA monitoring

Time Frame:  As partner support is available

Estimated Funding Need:  $140,000 ($20,000 x 7+ acres)

__________

E. El Cerrito Vegetation Management and Fuel Reduction, submitted by CCCFPD - Rank 1

Recommendation: This El Cerrito project is to clear vegetation along the ridgetop behind homes/East Bay Regional Parks property at the WUI with Wildcat Canyon in a 200 ft. strip that overlaps with an easement east of homes between Arlmont Drive (Berkeley), north along the edge of Wildcat Park to Camp Herms.  This includes behind Kensington Road, Kensington Court, Leneve and Ivy Courts (Alameda County and Contra Costa County border).  To protect these homes that back up to Wildcat Park and have direct exposure to the the diablo wind above the east facing slope, it is crucial to remove dead pine and redwood branches and masticate/cut dense invasive plants, broom, thistle, teazel, poison oak, hemlock, and stinging nettle.  Homeowners must be given incentives or abatement notices to remove dangerous foliage, and PG&E must eliminate foliage under the two towers that run through the area in the park.  Any work would have to be coordinated with East Bay Regional Parks and PG&E.  A lack of coordination appears to have prevented much-needed work.  Project currently on hold for additional funding based on the size of the project.

Priority Action:  Low Complexity, High Priority

Lead and Partners:  El Cerrito Fire Department, CCCFPD, East Bay Regional Parks, Homeowners, PG&E

Time Frame:  As soon as possible

Estimated Funding Need:  $300,000 ($10,000 x 30 acres)

_________

F. The Cerrito Creek Supplemental Assistance Program; Submitted by City of Berkeley Fire Department - Rank 1

Recommendation: 

The Cerrito Creek Supplemental Assistance Program is a collaborative effort aimed at reducing wildfire risks in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFSZ) of the Berkeley Hills (Alameda County) and the adjacent community of Kensington, CA (Contra Costa County). The Berkeley Fire Department (BFD) is leading this program in partnership with the El Cerrito-Kensington Fire Department, focusing on vegetation management and fire resilience in these densely populated areas. 

Implementation Actions: 

The program spans five years and targets properties within the Cerrito Creek region of Kensington, which borders the Berkeley Hills. Specifically, the program will provide up to $2,500 per property to support vegetation reduction beyond 100 feet from structures (Zone 3). This effort will encompass approximately 20 acres and 100 properties, aiming to reduce dense vegetation that could fuel wildfires. The interconnectedness of the Berkeley Hills and Kensington is emphasized, as major roads like Arlington Ave link these regions, making fire safety a mutual priority. 

Key goals of the program include treating 20 acres of land and completing 100 vegetation reduction projects. By addressing vegetation management in this high-risk area, the program seeks to make both the Cerrito Creek and Berkeley Hills areas more resilient to wildfire. The region’s steep terrain and limited firefighter access further elevate the importance of this initiative, as untreated vegetation along the border could allow fires to spread between communities. 

The program also aims to foster community engagement by involving 250 Cerrito Creek residents in a comprehensive outreach program. Additionally, the Cerrito Creek project was recognized as a priority in the Regional Priority Plan adopted in July 2022, which highlights the clearing of overgrowth in the WUI canyon as a critical action. 

Environmental considerations are also central to the program. Activities in Cerrito Creek will be carefully screened for their ecological impact, and a Negative Declaration will likely be needed for the proposed vegetation treatments. Best practices will be employed to mitigate any environmental effects, particularly in the creek area. 

Ultimately, the program aims to modify the fuel makeup of the treated areas, reducing the risk of wildfire ignition and spread. By partnering with the El Cerrito-Kensington Fire Department, BFD intends to share best practices and lessons learned, enhancing fire resilience not just in the Cerrito Creek area but across both communities. 

Lead and Partners: Berkeley Fire Department, El Cerrito-Kensington Fire Department

Time frame: 2025 to 2030

Estimated Funding Need: $4 million

__________

G. Submitted by the City of El Cerrito, Implementation of the Hillside Natural Area Fire Resilience and Forest Conservation Management Plan - Rank 1

Recommendation: 

The scenic Hillside Natural Area (HNA) is approximately 107 acres of open space surrounded by residential properties in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Working with the community, the City has been developing the HNA Fire Resilience and Forest Conservation Management Plan (Plan) with the goal of establishing a prioritized list of actions that balance fuel reduction with native forest conservation. 

Implementation Actions: 

  • Highest Priority

    1. Create Defensible Spaces

  • High Priority

    1. Establish Shaded Fuel Break - 100 feet along the HNA perimeter

    2. Remove Eucalyptus & Non-Native Conifers – groves ranked by priority

    3. Create System of Fire Roads & Trails - improving existing roads and adding new access roads

  • Medium Priority

    1. Manage Threats to Oak

    2. Remove Invasives

    3. Restore and Re-establish Natives

    4. Monitor Key Performance Indicators 

Lead and Partners: Project implementation will be done in partnership with the City of El Cerrito Park and Recreation Commission, Friends of the HNA, Make El Cerrito Fire Safe and Trail Trekkers.

Time Frame: The Plan will be considered by the City Council for adoption in March and if approved, the City will be ready to implement some projects by the summer of 2025.

Estimated Funding Need: The costs will be determined for each project.

________

 H. East Bay Hills Ridgetop Shaded Firebreak Extension Project - Rank 2

Recommendation: Extend and maintain the shaded firebreak along the East Bay Hills ridgetop from Kensington Hilltop School north to Berkeley Country Club. 

Implementation Actions: This would include masticating brush and removing invasive eucalyptus, Monterey Pine, pampas grass, and French Broom, and limbing up the remaining trees in a 200 ft wide zone between homes and Wildcat Canyon.

Lead and Partners: Make El Cerrito Fire Safe, with appropriate local jurisdictions, to be confirmed; submitted by Gary Prost

Time frame: TBD

Estimated Funding Need: TBD

_______

I. Submitted by the Orinda Downs Owners Association (ODOA) through Jon Kotowski; Expand fire abatement effort on 155 acres of conservation open space in North Orinda owned and maintained by the ODOA - Rank 2

Recommendation: The ODOA open space is surrounded by several hundred residential properties, all in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Over the last five years, the ODOA has prioritized fire abatement efforts (at the expense of adding to and maintain the reserve funding) and expended approximately $40,000/year in efforts to reduce the fuels loading in and around the homes adjacent to the conservation open space. These efforts have been supported with grants from the Diablo FireSafe Council (DFSC, 4 grants of $5,000 each over the last 5 years) and cooperative projects with the Moraga-Orinda Fire Department (MOFD, controlled burns) and the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD, removal of downed trees and goat grazing on property contiguous to the ODOA open space), and Con Fire (Measure X funding). Although these programs have been very successful in reducing the fuel loading of the season growth and newly downed trees in some areas of the open space, they have not been sufficient to effectively address the longer term need for fuels reduction through the entire open space. The purpose of this grant initiative is to initiate a 3-year program, through a grant from the DFSC, to accomplish significant fuels reduction throughout the entire open space.

Implementation Actions:

- Highest Priority: Develop a 250’ Defensible Space behind and around each private

residence backing onto the ODOA open space.

- Highest Priority: Develop a 250’ Defensible Space along both sides of the Contra Costa fire roads traversing the ODOA open space (fire roads are maintained by the Contra Costa County Fire District, CCCFD).

- Highest Priority: Continue/expand seasonal dry grass cutting throughout ODOA open space, including along roadways, evacuation routes and potential MOFD staging area (at the corner of Happy Valley Road and Sundown Terrace).

- High Priority: Establish 100’ fire break along all ODOA property borders.

- High Priority: Remove dead or dying trees and large stands of coyote brush throughout the open space. Limb-up trees throughout the open space to allow for a minimum of a 6 ft air gap between the lowest branches and the ground.

- Medium Priority: Remove groups of trees with high proportion of highly combustible

volatile oils, such as bay trees (some infected with Sudden Oak Death Syndrome, or SODS), remove dead or dying oaks and other trees, and restore controlled burn areas by re-seeding with California wild flower seed mix.

Lead and Partners:

- Lead: ODOA Project will be managed by ODOA affiliated personnel.

- Partners: MOFD (Guidance, advise, controlled burns, help with burn area re-seeding),

EBMUD (removal of downed trees on EBMUD property near ODOA property, goat grazing in areas on and near ODOA open space), Diablo Firesafe Council, and Cal Fire (Measure X, specific project support).

Time Frame:

- Starting 2025 and extending for 3 years, through 2027

Estimated Funding Need:

- 2025: $70,000

- 2026: $80,000

- 2027: $85,000

Total Project Cost: $235,000

(excluding ODOA expenditures, and in-kind support from MOFD, EBMUD and Cal

Fire Measure X support)

_______

J. Submitted by the John Muir Land Trust. The is for Watershed Scale Landscape Erosion Preservation and Fire Prevention Measures through appropriate Grazing Management Support Infrastructure - Rank 2

Priority Action: Fernandez Ranch Wildfire Resilience Support. 

Recommendation: Fernandez Ranch at 1,108 acres of open space surrounded by residential properties to the north in a High Fire Hazard Severity Zone and adjoining 6,000 acres+ of natural rural open space is at a critical interface of defensible space between urban, rural, and preserved critical habitat. At this time, the original scientifically supported Grazing Management Plan has not been fully completed due to climate change and the costs of adapting to that change. The goals of proper exclusion fencing and water placement is twofold, in that it accomplishes the appropriate residual dry mater quotas in the areas you need for fire prevention by appropriate grazing regimes in specially designed pastures and helps with the preservation of habitat types along the creek and riparian areas. Working with our current cattle grazer, the Contra Costa Fire Protection District, and the Natural Resource Conservation Services, we hope to achieve this goal and provide fire agencies with additional support through water access.

Implementation Actions: 

  1. Highest Priority = Create proper cross fencing and water placement to achieve ideal residual dry matter for fire prevention and habitat preservation. 

  2. High Priority = Establish a reliable water system so fire personnel can utilize it in case of fire in “back country” wildland situations.

  3. Medium Priority = Manage threats to Oak woodland and riparian corridor; Invasives; Restore and Re-establish Natives; Monitor Key Performance Indicators; keep cattle from the creek at the wrong time of the year.

Lead and Partners: Project implementation will be done in partnership with the Contra Costa Fire Protection District, Natural Resource Conservation Services, and John Muir Land Trust. 

Time Frame: Hoping for approvals in 2025 and implementation by end of 2026. 

Estimated Funding Need: The costs will be determined by NRCS; however, a rough estimate is around $200,000.

__________

Emergency preparedness, evacuation, increased inspection capacity

K. Evacuation Planning for High-Risk Communities in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties - Rank 2

Recommendation: Collaborate with other organizations (e.g. Red Cross, CERT, CORE, Neighborhood Watch) to assist community groups develop neighborhood evacuation plans. Support communities in distributing the evacuation plans, hosting safety drills, and organizing neighborhood groups.

Implementation Actions: 

• Focus on community groups and block level. 

• Identify essential supplies to maintain (Go Pack). 

• Identify special populations or needs at the block level. 

• Identify primary and secondary evacuation routes. 

• Coordinate with CORE/ CERT members. 

• Pre-designate suitable evacuation shelters 

• Physical improvements to the routes as needed (shoulders, parking restrictions, vegetation clearance, signage etc.) 

• Tie to general education of wildland urban interface issues, red flag warnings 

• Explore notification methods from other types of emergencies (e.g. hurricanes), models such as from Woodside and San Luis Obispo County. 

• Develop pre-attack plans that can be use as templates for other areas. 

Lead and Partners: Diablo Fire Safe Council. Coordinate with other groups that address evacuation training such as CORE/ CERT and Red Cross, as well as outreach to homeowner associations, fire departments, police departments. Local fire departments connected to the specific communities would be approached and included in all activities.

Time frame: Short to identify, medium to long term to implement improvements. 

Estimated Funding Need: TBD

________

L. Red Curbing & No Parking Signage – Submitted by Berkeley Fire Department. Targeted red-curbing/signage based on  KLD Engineering evacuation time study outcomes - Rank 3

Priority Action: 

Recommendations/Priority Actions: The red curbing & no parking signage project shall be based on analytics from the City's KLD  primary evacuation and response time modeling which is nearing completion.  One objective of the KLD model is to provide an understand of street capacity, safety, and viability under emergency scenarios. The KLD evacuation model will accurately estimate the number of people and vehicles that may need to be evacuated during a wildfire or other emergency, build a traffic simulation model, and then use that model to analyze the how the major evacuation routes will operate under emergency conditions, as well as to estimate how long it would take to evacuate under various conditions (season, day of the week, time of day, weather, etc.).  Using this analysis the Red Curbing and No Parking Signage would be installed to improve evacuation and ingress at identified pinch points.     

Implementation Actions:

Highest Priority =  To open up pinch points along narrow roadways in Berkeley Very High Severity Zone to provide for faster wildfire evacuation and improved community protection.                                                                                                

High Priority = To heighten emergency preparedness by keeping narrow roads clear of obstructive parking.                                        

Medium Priority  =  Improved Community Preparedness.

Lead and Partners: Berkeley Only;  

Timeline: Ready to implement 2025.  Full implementation (operational) 2026

Estimated Funding: TBD

________

M. Wildfire Evacuation Signage along Primary Egress Roadways. Wildfire Evacuation Route Signage – Submitted by Berkeley Fire Department - Rank 2

Recommendations/Priority Actions: The goal of the project is to install reflective Wildfire Evacuation Signage  along  the primary evacuation routes adjacent to the Grizzly Peak Strategic Shaded Fuel Break. The five-mile Shaded Fuel Break will provide critical access and egress for fire suppression efforts and passable evacuation routes for residents during a wildfire: Grizzly Peak Blvd, Arlington Ave, Wildcat Canyon Rd, Sunset Ln, Marin Ave, Shasta Rd, La Loma Ave, Cedar St, Eunice St, Euclid Av, Spruce St, Sutter St, Solano Ave, Hopkins St, Hearst Ave. *   Claremont  Ave,   Fish Ranch Rd, Centennial Dr, Rim Way, Gayley Rd,  South Park Dr, Wildcat Canyon Rd.  This project would coordinate the hazardous vegetation mitigation work currently in progress along the Grizzly Peak Shaded Fuel Break.           

Implementation Actions:

Highest Priority =  To post wildfire evacuation route signage along the Grizzly Peak Strategic Shaded Fuel Break                                                   

High Priority = To integrate wildfire evacuation route identification with existing COB tools including the Berkeley Genesys emergency notification system with automated outdoor loudspeakers.                                                                                                        

Medium Priority = to provide increased evacuation coordination between neighboring jurisdictions.    

Lead and Partners: Berkeley Only;  *Or in Partnership with UC Berkeley, East Bay Regional Parks, & East Bay MUD

Timeline: Ready to implement 2025.  Full implementation (operational) 2026

Estimated Funding: TBD

________

Equipment, personnel, and water storage capacity building

N. Alert Wildfire Cameras in the Tri-Valley; Submitted by Matt Thau, Livermore Fire Department - Rank 1

Recommendation: Wildfire alert cameras would be a great use of funds.  There are a few predetermined spots that have been identified years ago (2020) in the county.

Implementation Actions: 

#1 Altamont - this will cover the largest hole in Alameda County’s east side.

Waste Management 10840 Altamont Pass Road Livermore, CA  94550. This site has a high point that can be used line of sight to Highland Peak to have a microwave link into the system.  This high point has power to it and would allow sight into the entire back side of the Altamont which is currently blind. This would be a great success as responses to this area typically are 20 min plus and on wind driven fires you do not get much of a smoke column because it blows out to the central valley.

#2 LPFD training tower - this would cover the Tri-Valley area. Site has been approved and looked at by the camera installer. This would be able to cover looking back at Pleasanton Ridge and out toward Mines Rd.

Lead and Partners:

Livermore Fire Department, Alameda County Fire Department

Time Frame:

- Starting 2025 and extending.

Total Project Cost: TBD

________

O. One year of funding for expanded youthworks internship opportunities. Youthworks Internships – Submitted by Berkeley Fire Department- Rank 2

Youthworks Internships – Submitted by Berkeley Fire Department

Priority Action: One year of funding for expanded youthworks internship opportunities

Recommendations/Priority Actions: The Wildfire Mitigation Crew Fire Intern Program is an initiative of the Berkeley Fire Department Wildland Division. It developes a trained, mobile, and mission-specific workforce assigned to monitor hazardous vegetative fuel on or near structures, collect data, and identify reduction activities. Fire Interns conduct defensible space and home hardening Inspections and assist the department with educating the public on how to prepare their homes, property, and family in the event of a wildfire. 

Implementation Actions:

Highest priority = To provide  increased inspection capacity, fuel reduction, defensible space compliance, home hardening evaluation, and understory fuels removal in Berkeley Very High Fire Severity Zone.                                                                                                     

High Priority =  The Berkeley Fire Department internship program provides training, guidance and a pathway into the fire service for local youth ages 18 to 25.                                                                          

Medium Priority =  Increase capacity to provide public education,  outreach,  and resident engagement. 

Lead and Partners: Berkeley only.

Timeline: TBD

Estimated Funding: TBD

________

P. Los Vaqueros Watershed livestock water project for rangeland fuel management - Rank 2


Recommendation: The goal of the project is to build a water system that will support livestock grazing on 3000 acres where there is no available water. The project will include 10 miles of pipeline, 8 storage tanks, and 13 troughs. It will also provide supplemental water to six amphibian breeding ponds. The project will result in reduced fuel loads and improved wildlife habitat. It also supports the goals of CDFW and USFWS for threatened and endangered species habitat management. 

Implementation Actions: 

  • TBD

Lead and Partners: Submitted by Contra Costa Water District, Project will be done in partnership with CCWD, Vaqueros Livestock, and NRCS.

Time frame: Ready to implement 2025, full implementation in 2026.

Estimated Funding Need: The cost is estimated at $425K.

________

Fire education and outreach

Q. Create a Comprehensive Home-Hardening and Zone-Zero Training Program for Homeowners Throughout Alameda and Contra Costa Counties - Rank 1

Recommendations: 

Expand on the existing DFSC home-hardening education program and make it broadly available throughout both counties. Education and training related to retrofitting of existing homes and structures to improve their survivability. Identify what can be done without major remodel. Evaluate new technologies, materials and products that are available for retrofit and the pros and cons and make clear, simple recommendations to homeowners that they can do now. Explain the requirements of Zone Zero and the most effective, inexpensive ways to achieve compliance.

Implementation Actions: 

  • Find funding for education and training program

  • Educational PDF of simple things homeowners can do 

  • Refine all existing HH presentations and align them for consistency 

  • Identify “demonstration” or “model” homes that have implemented their retrofits and are willing to host events.

  • Inquire about partnering with manufacturers to offer discounted materials to homeowners participating in this program.

  • Promotional fliers/outreach, created and distributed throughout both counties

  • Customized city-agency HH presentation and support packages.

  • Host small group presentations and hands-on workshops.

  • Additionally reward 20 recent DFSC cost-share groups, who have completed projects, to receive a home-hardening presentation. This would incentivize cost-share applicants to submit and complete projects, and learn more about easy mitigation actions they can take to make their homes more ignition-resistant and increase home survivability.

  • Link Home Hardening program to an overarching Diablo Firesafe Council Education program that includes public talks, presentations, online demonstrations, and cost-share tutorials.

  • Assist Fire agencies in Alameda County and Contra Costa Counties by supporting their CFSC County coordinators in prioritizing actions to make existing homes more ignition-resistant and increase home survivability.

  • Work with fire agencies and their coordinators to provide additional staffing, interns and resources to implement home hardening education and Firewise group support.

Lead and Partners: Diablo Firesafe Council in partnership with local fire agencies in both counties. Institute for Building and Home Safety has information and research. State Fire Marshal’s Office has materials and product information related to CBC Chapter 7A WUI code. 

Time frame: Ready to implement, expand in 2025, full reach throughout two counties by 2027.

Estimated Funding Need: $$$ for training, materials, travel to locations to deliver training, personnel costs. Additional $ for the creation of a FSC coordinator position.

________

 R. Home Hardening Incentives Supporting Firewise Communities - Rank 2

Recommendation: Defensible space and home-hardening action incentives for creating a Firewise group or taking action to protect your home. This proposal could increase Firewise groups in high fire risk and low resource communities. Many agencies do not have the staffing to assist groups in submitting Firewise applications and obtaining the required information to assess, create applications and to renew successfully. The more Firewise groups the more homes can be made more ignition-resistant and increase home survivability. Community Firewise groups can create fire buffers in neighborhoods which can have a positive impact on insurance renewals.

Identify communities at risk due to high fuel-loads and lack of resources to reduce vegetation. Examples include hills above unincorporated San Leandro and Castro Valley. Create a reward-based program to incentivize action, including cash rebates, gift cards, vendor discounts, etc. to enable neighborhood groups and homeowners to reduce vegetation or harden their homes. 

Implementation Actions: 

  • Find funding for education and incentives for Firewise groups

  • Customized city-agency presentation and support package

  • Support counties and cities fire agencies (for example, via FSC County Coordinator, as one possibility) as a liaison to Firewise for those counties or cities who do not have the staffing to implement.

Lead and Partners: Diablo FireSafe Council with local fire agencies in both counties

Time frame: 2025

Estimated Funding Need: $350K program development, outreach, materials (English and Spanish), incentive funding.

________

S. Landscape and Pest Control Professionals Wildfire Education. The proposal aims at enlisting these professionals as allies in making their clients’ homes more ignition-resistant and to increase home survivability) in Alameda County and Contra Costa County (via) Assistance to Fire Agencies. - Rank 3

Recommendation: Diablo Firesafe Council aims to work with local home-services professionals such as landscapers, pest control companies, and smaller-sized general contractors to provide group presentations by construction professionals (i.e. architects & contractors). Presentations would be customized for each type of profession to educate on home hardening retrofits and defensible space concepts. The aim is to provide better support to homeowners regarding structural hardening and Zone 0 best practices. Presentations to these professionals can be via Zoom to be more accessible or in-person. The distribution of post-event surveys would allow us to refine the program. 

Implementation Actions: 

  • Promotional fliers/outreach created and distributed throughout both counties 

  • Customized city-agency presentation and support package

  • Host small group presentations and hands-on workshops for professional groups 

  • Outreach in Spanish and other languages to encourage participation by underserved groups.

  • Link Home Hardening program to an overarching Diablo Firesafe Council Education program that includes public talks, presentations, online demonstrations, and cost-share tutorials.

Lead and Partners: Diablo FireSafe Council with local fire agencies in both counties

Time frame: 2025-2027 

Estimated Funding Need: $$ for program development, outreach, materials, and staffing. 

________

T. Renovate the Gateway Garden and Exhibit Center as a demonstration East Bay firesafe garden; submitted by Fred Booker - Rank 3

Priority Action: To renovate the Gateway Garden and Exhibit Center as a demonstration East Bay firesafe garden using the pavilion as the outline of a home and we will implement Cal Fire’s zone system using Native and other waterwise and firesafe appropriate plants in an ornamental garden design. This will demonstrate a fire safe garden to all who visit. The garden will also be the focal point for educational programs on firesafe landscaping, garden maintenance, and home hardening for fire and earthquake.

Recommendation, Detailed description of proposal:

I am the Garden Chair for the Board of the North Hills Community Association. We manage the Gateway Emergency Preparedness Garden through the City of Oakland’s Adopt A Spot Program. The Gateway Garden and Exhibit Center, conceived in 1994 by Susan and Gordon Piper and Oakland Architect Peter Gray Scott, was completed in 2003. The hardscape and initial landscape design was done by Chris E. Hecht Design & Landscape Construction Inc. The garden and exhibition pavilion is located on City of Oakland property in close proximity to both Highways 24 and 13 and below Hiller Highlands, providing stunning views of the bay. The pavilion and hardscape were built and funded by donations through the Oakland Landscape Committee, while the garden maintenance work was primarily done by neighborhood volunteers, most of whom had a personal connection to the 1991 Fire. The initial educational focus was on providing East Bay residents with information about the 1991 fire, the proximity of the Hayward Fault, and some simple safety tips on display panels within the open pavilion.

Initially, the garden was simplicity itself, but, over time, planting took precedence over maintenance, with a focus on drought-tolerant aloe species and other non-native plants. Discussions in 2017 and 2018, between the Oakland Landscape Committee and the NHCA resulted in a change of management of the garden. Our NHCA vision, shaped by the increasing effects of climate change, species loss, wildfires, and the insurance industry’s interest in firesafe landscaping, is to transition the garden to demonstrate for all East Bay residents what a firesafe garden should look like while still providing for wildlife. We envision purposeful planting (where every plant has a reason and a purpose for its placement, spacing and density), using native and climate-appropriate plants that are firesafe and can serve to benefit the local food web as host plants for invertebrates. With the pavilion serving as the outline of a house, the garden design will focus on state and insurance-industry guidelines for a fire-prepared home and landscape, using the 0-5 feet, 5-30 feet. and 30-100 feet zone system. We will follow Cal Fire recommended spacing of plants on slopes and under trees. We envision educational panels throughout the garden linking users to information about appropriate plants, spacing, density and maintenance needs. The pavilion offers space for additional informational panels about home hardening for fire and earthquakes and can serve as a venue for educational talks on firesafe landscaping and other community needs.

We are currently in the planning stage, looking for funding while continuing the removal of plants with the help of neighborhood and corporate volunteers. Through our connections with California Native Plant Society and the East Bay Native Plant Resource Team, volunteers have come forward to assist with grant writing and garden design. Rebecca Pollen, former Landscape Manager for Rossmoor in Walnut Creek has agreed to implement the pro bono design. We have met with the Alameda County Gardeners about our project and The Alameda County Master Gardeners have committed to providing regular on-site educational talks (e.g. seasonal maintenance recommendations).

Currently we need funds to hire professional help with plant removal and soil prep, purchasing plants, and changes to irrigation to meet garden design needs, as well as some minor repairs to the garden paths. We are also seeking funds for long term maintenance to complement volunteer work parties. There are no plans to add additional hardscape beyond that designed by Chris Hecht & Associates for the Gateway Garden in 2003.

Implementation Actions:

Highest Priority = Remove non-native plants that don't meet the design criteria and all invasive plants.

Highest Priority = Complete planting and irrigation design.

Highest Priority = Purchasing Plants, Planting would be done by volunteers

High Priority = Repair pathway borders and replace steps.

Lead and Partners:

North Hills Community Association (Lead), City of Oakland Adopt A Spot, Alameda County, Master Gardeners, Claremont Canyon Conservancy

Time Frame: 2025 thru 2027

Estimated Funding Need: TBD

________

Fundraising and communications capacity building with new technologies 

U. Wildfire and Smoke Detection and Alert System – Submitted by Berkeley Fire Department - Rank 2

Priority Action: Funding for early wildfire and smoke detection equipment with automated alert system to be installed in the Berkeley  wildland urban interface (VHFHSZ).

Recommendations/Priority Actions: The N5 Shield sensor program samples the air and detects anomalies consistent with fire. The company said it uses ground-based sensors, along with satellite imagery, Artificial Intelligence, and other environmental data to detect ignition at very early stages, and then issues emergency notifications via text and email.

Implementation Actions:

Highest Priority =  Equipment to detect ignition at very early stages and issue emergency notifications.

Lead and Partners: Berkeley Only;  

Timeline: TBD

Estimated Funding: TBD

_________

Increased coordination, including community-building, resource-sharing, long-term planning, and management

V. Submitted by the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District, Prescribed Grazing Plan Creation and Implementation -Rank 1

Recommendation: Work with ranchers in Alameda and Contra Costa counties to develop

Prescribed Grazing Plans on their properties which will reduce fuel loading in large open

rangeland spaces. Prescribed Grazing Plans analyze an operation and provide recommendations to effectively manage rangeland grass loads. Through prescribed grazing, ranchers follow a set of prescriptions that should best utilize available forage for grazing animals.

Implementation Actions: 

Highest Priority

  • Work with partners to promote prescribed grazing on partner lands, connect with

resources and partners that can write plans (Contractors, NRCS Staff, RCD Staff,

etc.)

High Priority

  •  Develop funding mechanisms to assist in plan development cost, either for staff to write plans or to pay contractors to develop plans

Medium Priority

  •  Identify implementation pathways to make plans a reality by finding funding for cross-fencing, livestock water installation, pond restoration, etc.

Lead and Partners: CCRCD/ACRCD, NRCS, DFSC, EBRPD, CCWD, Zone 7, SFPUC,

EBMUD, other grazed rangeland partners

 

Time Frame: 2025 – Promote Prescribed Grazing Plans, 2025/2026 enroll ranchers in NRCS

EQIP for prescribed grazing funding, 2026/2027 begin implementation

 

Estimated Funding Need: Low, likely just outreach and education costs, additional cost for

implementation will vary

________

W. Wildfire Resilience Regional Planning and Implementation (mostly Contra Costa County). Submitted by the John Muir Land Trust. This would be for capacity and operational support to utilize the East Bay Civicorps on fire prevention and planning measures on John Muir Land Trust Lands. - Rank 1

Recommendation: John Muir Land Trust is currently in charge of over 5,000 acres of open space primarily in Contra Costa County and we work closely with fire districts to achieve our annual fire prevention and management goals. Yet, with the advent of climate change and capacity growing, we are looking for additional operational assistance to strengthen our relationship with Civicorp to advance our work in this field and achieve those goals in a supportive way. This could look like Civicorps Crew Leader management and dispatch as well as project design and implementation: such as heavy fuels/shrub identification and clearing. 

Implementation Actions: 

  1. Highest Priority = Establish a contract with Civicorp to get assistance on the ground with annual fire prevention work. This may in-line with hiring an additional crew leader just for this project. Much as CA State Parks has done.    

  2. High Priority = Establishing an additional blanket contract to address the projects areas of implementation, including scheduling, permits, and logistics.  

  3. Medium Priority = Manage implementation of work as well as associated trainings

Lead and Partners: John Muir Land Trust project implementation will be done in partnership with East Bay Civicorps.

Time Frame: Starting spring of 2025

Estimated Funding Need: Depending on scale, estimate is around $200,000.

________ 

X. Submitted by the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District, California Grazing Exchange Promotion amongst un-grazed landowners - Rank 2

Recommendation: Work with ungrazed property owners to enroll properties if applicable in California Grazing Exchange, Work with grazing animal managers to sign up for California Grazing Exchange in order to increase fuel load management on ungrazed parcels around Contra Costa and Alameda counties

Implementation Actions: 

Highest Priority

  • Promote Match.Graze to landowners with ungrazed land to create supply of available forage for grazers already in system

High Priority

  •  Find grazers in Alameda and Contra Costa and connect them with ungrazed properties for better fuel management

Medium Priority

  • Promote Match.Graze on partner websites and in conversations with home owners Lead and Partners: CCRCD/ACRCD, NRCS, DFSC, EBRPD, CCWD, Zone 7, SFPUC,

EBMUD, other grazed rangeland partners

 

Time Frame: 2025

 

Estimated Funding Need: Low, likely just outreach and education costs

________

Broadening prescribed burning capacity

Y. Control Burning as Wildlife Enhancement and Restoration - Rank 1

Priority Action: Submitted by the John Muir Land Trust. This would be for assistance in scientific research, application, and capacity building to advance good fire on a landscape level to benefit wildlife and restoration efforts. 

Recommendation: John Muir Land Trust currently holds over 5,000 acres of open space primarily in Contra Costa County and we work closely with fire districts to achieve our annual management goals. Spring of 2025 we are planning on a control burn in partnership with Natural Resources Conservation Services at Fernandez Ranch to manage fire fuel loads outside and inside the grazing management areas to reduce fuel loads, control invasive grasses and plants, and do research on the efficacy of purposeful fire on certain species of invasive plants. We also have Burnbot, a for profit “blacklining machine” assisting in the process as research and development. In addition, Vollmar Natural Lands Consulting as researcher conducting the science.

Implementation Actions: 

  1. Highest Priority = Assist in the funding of the cost share with NRCS for planning and practice with outside fire contractors and establish a five-year plan for assessment of future burns through the burning seasons.     

  2. High Priority = Receive funds to do analysis on forest assessments for pile burning, grassland monitoring, and invasive/ shrub encroachments. The assessments would also line up potential funding sources.  

  3. Medium Priority = fund implementation of current work to date.

Lead and Partners: John Muir Land Trust, Natural Resources Conservation Services, Contra Costa Fire District, BurnBot, Vollmar Natural Lands Consulting.

Time Frame: Starting spring of 2025

Estimated Funding Need: Depending on scale, medium priority $20,000- $150,000.

________ 

Z. Submitted by the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District, Investigation, Creation, and Formation of the East Bay Prescribed Burn Association - Rank 2

Recommendation: Historical management of the Oakland and Diablo hills relied on wildfire to periodically clear downed woody materials, grasses, and more. In the absence of fire, native grasses and vegetation have been forced out by non-native vegetation not suited for the Mediterranean climate and periodic fire. Through the East Bay Prescribed Burn Association, we’d hope to explore bringing good fire back to the landscape on smaller parcels and lots that lack people power, resources, and education to put prescribed fire on the landscape. This project aims to explore the East Bay Prescribed Burn Association formation, answering questions like: who will staff/manage the association day-to-day, how does it fit in the regulatory context with the BAAQMD, and other questions with a goal to create a network of professionals and properties with more prescribed fire as a means to control fuel load.

Implementation Actions: 

Highest Priority

  •  Establish the EBPBA after conversations with landowners and partners

High Priority

  • Establish goals for the EBPBA, funding mechanisms

Medium Priority

  • Put prescribed burning back in the toolkit with partner landowners and host a

partner burn in the next 2-3 years

Lead and Partners: CCRCD, EBRPD, DFSC? WCCFSC?, CCWD? Zone 7? Private Landowners

Time Frame: 2025 – Develop funding proposals, 2026 begin organizing and investigating, 2027

begin implementation and burning? 

Estimated Funding Need: $75k to investigate, $15k to administer annually? (best guesses!)

________


AA. Con Fire submitted; Build and cover burn piles from prescribed fire limbing operations. Burn piles expected during winter months. Moraga-Orinda Fire District, CCCFPD - Rank 2

Recommendation: Proposal originally submitted by Chief Isaacs (MOFD) to build and cover burn piles from prescribed fire limbing operations on Bear Creek Road (between San Pablo Dam Road and Happy Valley Road) in Orinda.  On common ground and/or open space.  Project currently on hold for additional funding based on the size of the project.

Funding Needs: $150,000 (15 acres @ $10,000 per acre)

________

Forest health and sustainable solutions

BB. The San Leandro Creek Watershed. Submitted by EBRPD - Rank 1

Priority Action: Submitted by EBRPD; “The San Leandro Creek Watershed covers 49.4 square miles, extending east into the hills above Oakland and San Leandro and north to include the town of Moraga in Contra Costa County. The information on this watershed page focuses on the area of the watershed located within the Alameda County Flood Control & Water Conservation District’s jurisdiction. The watershed is unusual among East Bay watersheds today in that its 78.3 miles of creeks remain open and primarily in their natural state. Two large dams, at Upper San Leandro Reservoir and Lake Chabot, provide drinking water storage and regulate the flow of water in San Leandro Creek. Ten tributary creeks flow through parklands and managed watersheds before joining Upper San Leandro Reservoir, Lake Chabot, or San Leandro Creek.” – Alameda Co Flood Control.

Recommendation, Implementation, Funding, Etc.: 

  • Treatment Area: 31,616-acre watershed

    • About 6,670 acres owned or operated by EBRPD- Redwood, Lake Chabot, and Anthony Chabot

    • 1,413 acres with CEQA and NEPA permitting

    • 2,232 with CEQA permitting only, not including older Land Use Plans

  • Treatment Types:

    • Initial Treatment of forest types for pest management, proactive restoration of forest land through removal or reduction of invasive species, forest fuel reduction, and minimizing the loss of forest lands and forest carbon to catastrophic wildfire

      • Acres: 80

      • Cost per acre: $20,000

      • Budget: $1,600,000

    • Re-Entry Treatment for pest management, maintenance and enhancement of past forest health improvement and fuel reduction work, and passive restoration of historic forest habitats where appropriate

      • Acres: 1,057

      • Cost per acre: $4000+

      • Budget: $4,300,000

    • Restoration Treatment to actively return degraded and/or less resilient treatment areas to historic structure and species composition while supporting or enhancing habitat for sensitive (listed) species

      • To include seeding and planting in cooperation w/ Stewardship and Planning department staff

      • Acres: 35

      • Cost per acre: ~ $7,145

      • Budget: $250,000

  • Treatment Activities: Mechanical and manual vegetation removal, prescribed fire (broadcast and/or pile), herbicide application, grazing, and restoration planting.

  • Cooperative Groups: Plant pallet, treatment area access and prescription, etc.

    • Through advising, not project management

    • California Native Plant Society

  • Indigenous population representatives

  • Prescribed Fire:

    • Contract with qualified burn boss to consult with EBRPD Fire Staff and write a programmatic Burn Plan for Anthony Chabot Regional Park that includes all feasible areas. Burn boss consultant will also assist Fire Department personnel on implementation of burns in various fuel types during the grant period.

Robyn Graham
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