Adapting to a Changing Climate

All of California is experiencing drought conditions. Alameda County is currently under level D2, which increases wildfire risk. Source: U.S. Drought Monitor

California is experiencing the impacts of climate change right before our eyes. The 2017 wildfire season burnt over 1.5 million acres across the state, by far the largest season to that date. This was outdone in 2018, which burnt almost 2 million acres, only to be shattered in 2020, with 4.4 million acres, or around 4% of the entire land of California burning - an area almost equivalent the size of the entire nine-county Bay Area. Last year’s season was the second largest on record, with over 2.5 million acres burnt, and the risk of a similarly devastating season this year is high.

Growing drought will only make the threat of wildfires worse. This year, California’s snowpack was at 42% of normal. Snowpack levels have only been above 100% of normal for two of the last ten years. These conditions are not just localized to Northern California; most of the Western United States is currently under drought conditions. Being able to adapt to this new reality of prolonged drought and more extreme wildfire weather is a critical part of keeping our community resilient.

Taking Action to Protect Against Wildfires

Berkeley is no stranger to wildfires, with two major wildfires taking place within city limits over the past century. The 1923 wildfire burnt down the La Loma and Northside neighborhoods, stopping on the edge of Downtown as wind directions shifted. 640 structures were destroyed, but fortunately no lives were lost. The 1991 Oakland Hills Firestorm was the most destructive wildfire in California until the record-breaking 2017 wildfire season, destroying around 2,900 structures and killing 25 people.

Facing the reality of more extreme and ongoing wildfire conditions, Berkeley has increased its funding and programs in recent years. In 2020, Berkeley voters overwhelmingly approved Measure FF, a parcel tax that generates $8.5 million annually for fire services, emergency response, hazard mitigation and wildfire prevention. Last year, thanks to Measure FF, $12.75 million was spent on a wide range of programs and initiatives, including the expansion of vegetation clearing efforts, installation of a new evacuation warning system (five sites are scheduled to be installed this summer), the purchase of additional emergency vehicles, neighborhood evacuation drills, developing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) and the construction of larger training facilities. A new Wildland-Urban Interface division has been launched to address wildfire preparedness, including expanding property inspections in homes in high fire zones. Development of the CWPP is currently underway, which is expected to be completed by early 2023.

There are individual actions that you can take to be prepared for extreme fire weather conditions. Stay informed by subscribing to AC Alert, the mass notification system for Berkeley and Alameda County. This system provides email and text notifications of evacuation warnings and orders, extreme fire weather, and other emergencies. Zonehaven provides real-time information catered to specific areas in the event of an emergency. Be sure to memorize what zone you live in to stay informed. Berkeley Hills residents can also participate in the fire fuel chipper program, in which the City will pick up bagged plant materials and chip cut branches. Keeping your home clear of fire fuels such as overgrown vegetation is a key part of keeping your home and neighborhood safe in the event of a wildfire. Click here for vegetation management tools and resources.

Growing Drought Necessitates Water Conversation

In April 2022, after the driest January-March on record, the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) declared a Stage 2 drought emergency, meaning that EBMUD customers must reduce water consumption by 10% compared to 2020. Outdoor watering is limited to three times per week, there is no washing of sidewalks and driveways, and restaurants must only provide water upon request. Beginning on July 1, customers will have an 8% drought surcharge on their bills to help finance additional water supplies and expenses related to the drought. Customers who exceed the excessive use threshold of 132 units over the two-month billing period, approximately 1,646 gallons per day, will receive one warning and then will face fines of $2 for every unit of water used above the threshold.

During the 2012-2016 drought, the City reduced its municipal water consumption by 26%. This was achieved mainly through upgrading infrastructure and reducing irrigation - practices that are still in effect today. In the face of new drought conditions, the City government is reducing its water consumption. The City is currently planning to convert medians and other landscaping to drought tolerant plantings, reducing the need for ongoing watering. Upgrading our infrastructure will also be a key part going forward to maximize water retention and minimize waste. Under Vision 2050, developing climate change resiliency, including protecting against sea level rise, wildfires and drought is a highlight. In an October 2021 survey of 500 Berkeley residents, 78% of respondents said this goal is important. In order to achieve the goals and implementation of Vision 2050, a ballot measure to raise funding will be placed on the November 2022 election. Details as to how much the measure will be and how the revenue will be generated are expected to be decided on in July.

The Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, last updated in 2019, identifies that the severity and frequency of drought will increase as a result of climate change. Rising temperatures will result in less snowfall, with estimates of a reduction of the snowpack that we receive a significant amount of our water from reducing by 70-90% by the end of the century. The Watershed Management Plan, whose goals include water quality protection, urban flooding reduction, natural waterways and habitat preservation, and rainwater reuse promotion, was last updated in 2012 but will be updated soon. The updated plan will consider flooding and drought caused by extreme storm events, sea level, and groundwater rise, implementation of the Green Infrastructure Plan, and modeling of all the watersheds. Infrastructure improvements will include storm drains, flow attenuation basins, permeable surfaces, bioswales, and improvements at Aquatic Park.

Taking action today on the growing impacts of climate change is necessary to prevent an even bigger crisis happening tomorrow. Taking steps to minimize the threats of wildfires, and to maximize water conservation takes both City and individual action. The work we have done to address these problems is placing us in the right direction, but further investments are needed to ensure the long-term resiliency of our community. We all have a part to play, and through city programs and initiatives in conjunction with individual actions, we can collectively adapt to climate change.