Ver. #3 10-25-23
Overall Wildfire Risk Reduction and Response Policy
Whereas, climate change from increased greenhouse gas emissions has created warmer, drier conditions, leading to longer, more active, and more disastrous fire seasons;
Whereas, areas of housing in Richmond and other East Bay cities are located at the wildland- urban interface;
Whereas, the City of Richmond desires to reduce wildfire risk to city residents by developing and supporting the most effective strategies and resources to reduce wildfire risk;
Whereas, vegetation management in wildlands can help reduce wildfire risk to residences, but wind-dispersed, burning or glowing embers - the primary cause of home ignition - are known to pass through “fuel breaks” and other wildland vegetation treatments;
Whereas, an effective response to increased wildfire risk requires a comprehensive approach that includes: 1) home hardening and defensible space around structures, 2) a warning and communications system with detection, alert, and evacuation capabilities, 3) and ecologically based vegetation management.
Whereas, maintaining a warning and communications system with detection, alert, and evacuation capabilities helps the city and its residents be prepared to respond to other emergencies, especially earthquakes and potential industrial incidents;
Whereas, ecologically sound vegetation management practices are consistent with the Open Space Element of the City’s General Plan, the benefits of sustaining healthy, diverse natural habitats, and the need to limit the spread of invasive, flammable weeds;
Whereas, citizen participation is a vital part of carrying out a comprehensive wildfire risk reduction and response program, which also includes collaboration with city and county agencies, including through any Memorandum of Understanding with other agencies on wildfire risk reduction and response;
Now, therefore, the City of Richmond adopts a wildfire risk reduction and response policy that includes, but is not limited to:
A comprehensive program that includes:
1. Increased resistance to ember ignition of residential structures through a “from the house out” approach using home hardening measures and defensible space practices.
2. Regularly reviewing and making improvements to the existing city emergency warning and communications systems as well as detection, alerts, and evacuation capabilities.
Ver. #3 10-25-23
3. Incorporating ecologically based vegetation management practices in the wildland- urban interface and other natural areas to reduce wildfire risk in a way that sustains an indigenous, biologically diverse landscape. Vegetation management will be planned with ongoing monitoring and maintenance by landowners and city agencies to retain fuel reduction benefits, sustain flora biodiversity and habitat, and control invasive weeds.
4. Implementing these policies by directly involving Richmond citizens with engaging public education programs, training support for Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), and testing and maintaining systems for communications between neighborhoods and public responders in an emergency.