May 5, 2026
Fire Department
DATE: May 5, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM: Wildfire Preparedness Ad Hoc Committee:
Aaron Osorio, Fire Chief
Daniel Chavarria, Director of Public Works
Shannon Moore, Interim City Attorney
Subject: Wildfire Preparedness Ad Hoc Committee
Recommendations
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Receipt of the Wildfire Preparedness Ad Hoc Committee presentation does not require an immediate expenditure
of funds. However, implementation of the Committee’s
recommendations may result in future costs, including
contracting for vegetation management services,
establishment of a Resident Assistance Program, and
ongoing vegetation management in wildfire hazard
zones. Should the City Council direct staff to proceed, these costs will be brought forward for Council
consideration and appropriation through future budget
actions.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
January 21, 2025
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Wildfire Preparedness Ad Hoc Committee
(“Committee”) was established by the City Council to
review and discuss the City’s current wildfire
preparedness and mitigation efforts. The Committee was
tasked with developing proposals for budget and
resource allocation to enhance wildfire preparedness, as well as providing recommendations for updates to the
Richmond Municipal Code (RMC). The Committee now
returns to the City Council to present its findings and recommendations.
AGENDA
REPORT
May 5, 2026
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECEIVE a written presentation from the Wildfire
Preparedness Ad Hoc Committee; PROVIDE
DIRECTION to staff on the City Council’s preferred
recommendation to improve the City’s wildfire
preparedness and mitigation efforts during the budget
checklist on proposed appropriations; and
ACKNOWLEDGE the disbanding of the Wildfire
Preparedness Ad Hoc Committee – Wildfire
Preparedness Ad Hoc Committee (Chief Aaron Osorio
510-307-8021).
DISCUSSION:
On January 21, 2025, the City of Richmond established the Wildfire Preparedness Ad Hoc Committee (“Committee”), including Councilmember Brown (District 1) Councilmember Zepeda, (District 2), Councilmember Bana (District 4). The Committee was formed to provide a forum for City Councilmembers and staff to review existing wildfire preparedness and mitigation efforts, identify gaps, and develop recommendations for consideration by the City Council. The Committee is composed of Councilmembers and staff from the Fire Department, Public Works, and the City Attorney’s Office.
The Committee first met on February 12, 2025, and held a total of six meetings through January 2026. The key topics discussed included:
Defensible Space Inspection Program and Compliance
Application of the Richmond Municipal Code (RMC) to non-compliant parcels o Appeal timelines
o Administrative warrant process
o Abatement process
o Fines and liens
Vegetation Management and Grazing
Development of a home hardening assistance program (Zone 0)
In light of these discussions, the Committee developed recommendations to address identified gaps in wildfire preparedness and mitigation.
Recommendation # 1
Direct the City Attorney’s Office to evaluate the current appeal process for enforcement of defensible space violations under the Richmond Municipal Code (RMC), including whether timelines can be shortened for parcels located within the Local Responsibility Area (LRA) and City’s designated wildfire hazard zones. The existing appeal process in the City takes approximately 6–9 months before abatement occurs. This lengthy process poses a fire and life safety risk, as non-compliance with defensible space requirements must be addressed in a timely manner.
May 5, 2026
Recommendation # 2
Direct City staff to establish an on-call contract for vegetation management services to be utilized on parcels within wildfire hazard zones that refuse to abate vegetation hazards and/or comply with defensible space requirements through the use of administrative warrant. In addition, City staff must also determine whether the Fire Department or Public Works Department will be the project manager to execute and administer the service contract.
Recommendation # 3
Direct City staff to establish a Resident Assistance Program to support home hardening and defensible space treatments within 0–30 feet of structures, with priority given to hazards within 5 feet (Zone 0). The program will be a one-year pilot, with the potential to extend for an additional two years to align with the City’s Zone 0 implementation timeline.
The Committee recommends that the Resident Assistance Program receive an initial funding allocation of $100,000, with future funding levels to be evaluated at a later date if the program is extended. The program will be available to homes located in the in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) and will provide up to $2,500 per parcel for eligible applicants. Based on the proposed funding level, the program could support approximately 40 parcels per year.
There are currently 1599 parcels designated as VHFHSZ. To prioritize and direct resources to residents with the highest need, eligibility for the Resident Assistance Program is limited to applicants who meet one of the following criteria:
Age 65 or older
Physical disability
Financial limitations: See Table 1 for Income Limits
Table 1: California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) State Income Limit1 Household Size 1 resident 2 residents 3 residents 4 residents Income (at or below) $87,500 $100,050 $112,550 $125,050
As previously discussed, the Resident Assistance Program aims to assist eligible applicants in complying with Zone 0 requirements. The following are examples of qualifying projects that eligible applicants may apply:
Removal of dead vegetation, including plants, grass, and debris Pruning and thinning of tree branches
Hazardous tree removal
1 Household income limits are based on the current California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) State Income Limits. Applicants must be at or below the income limits to qualify for the Resident Assistance Program.
May 5, 2026
Hardscaping (i.e., replacing combustible bark/mulch with pavers, gravel, or rock Replacing combustible fencing or gates within five (5) feet of structures Installing fire-resistant vents and gutter covers
Modifying eaves to be fully enclosed
Other work that will substantially increase the safety of a building in the event of wildfire, as determined by the Fire Code Official on a case-by-case basis
The project approval and project completion will be verified by the Fire Prevention Services Division.
Recommendation # 4
Allocate funds and direct City staff to maintain an annual grazing contract for vegetation management within the wildfire hazard zones. The Fire Department and Public Works have identified approximately 211 acres within the City as suitable for managed grazing to reduce fuel loads and support wildfire mitigation efforts. The total estimated cost to maintain this program is $250,000 annually. Public Works has budgeted $200,000 for Fiscal Year 2026–27, pending approval as part of the City’s overall budget. An additional $50,000 will therefore be required to fully fund and maintain the program at the established level of service.
Recommended Action
City staff recommend that the City Council receive the presentation from the Wildfire Preparedness Ad Hoc Committee and provide direction on its preferred recommendations to improve wildfire preparedness and mitigation efforts. The Committee further recommends that the Mayor recognize that the presentation fulfills the Committee’s original purpose and acknowledges its disbanding.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Wildfire Preparedness Ad Hoc Presentation