Berkeley Marks 100th Anniversary of 1923 Fire With Major Advancements in Wildfire Safety
September 18, 2023
BERKELEY MARKS 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF 1923 FIRE WITH MAJOR ADVANCEMENTS IN WILDFIRE SAFETY
BERKELEY, CA - Yesterday, Berkeley officials and community members gathered to mark the 100th anniversary of the 1923 Berkeley Fire, the most destructive wildfire to hit Berkeley before the 1991 Oakland Hills Firestorm.
“100 years after the devastating fire the dangers of wildfires loom larger than ever due to the growing threat of climate change,” said Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin. “We have made major investments and taken significant steps to counter this threat, launching several programs and initiatives with the support of the public that have made our community more prepared and resilient.”
In 2020, Berkeley voters approved Measure FF, a parcel tax that generates $8.5 million annually for fire services, emergency response, 9-1-1 communication, hazard mitigation and wildfire prevention. Since then, the City and Fire Department has taken several steps to mitigate the growing threat of wildfires. A Wildland Urban Interface Division was established, allowing for annual inspections of 8,500 properties located in very high fire hazard areas to ensure they meet vegetation and defensible space requirements. The Safe Passages program has been launched, which will complete roadway treatments and vegetation management projects that will improve evacuation and emergency responder access to many areas. A Community Wildfire Protection Plan was created to provide a roadmap to help the City and community work together to mitigate wildfire risks. A new outdoor warning system was installed, with the first test occurring yesterday.
Residents are encouraged to take action to make their homes more resilient in the face of disasters. Those who live in the hills can protect their home from fire by clearing the area around their house of vegetation and other flammable materials to create defensible space. On extreme fire weather days, it is recommended that residents of the hills relocate for their safety. Leaving the hills before a fire breaks out is the best way to ensure safety. All Berkeley residents should sign up for emergency alerts and familiarize themselves with Berkeley’s Emergency Map.
On September 17, 1923, the strong, dry Diablo winds were in full effect, and a fire had erupted just east of the Berkeley Hills ridgeline near Wildcat Canyon. The fire quickly swept over the hill and down into the heart of Berkeley. In a matter of hours, the La Loma Park and Northside neighborhoods were destroyed. Firefighters and volunteers were overwhelmed, but the fire ultimately stopped near Hearst Avenue and Shattuck Avenue once there was a shifting of the winds bringing a cool seabreeze. As a result, Downtown Berkeley, UC Berkeley, and the rest of the city was spared from the destruction. 640 buildings were destroyed and thousands were displaced. Miraculously, there were no deaths. The cause of the fire was never determined.