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Oakland Wildfire Guide
By Brian Krans and Kate Darby Rauch
Everything you need to know about evacuation, preparation, air quality, power outages, protecting property, and more answers to your questions about wildfire season.
The threat of catastrophic wildfire is nothing new in the Oakland Hills. But hotter, drier weather linked to climate change means fires are more common and more destructive. The Oaklandside has created this guide to help us all do what we can to prepare, stay informed and keep safe during fire season.
Do not rely on this guide during an emergency. In an emergency, follow the instructions of AC Alerts, look up your evacuation zone number and stay tuned to local radio (KCBS 740 AM, KGO 810 AM, or KNBR 680 AM), TV, and Nixle alerts for updated information.
If you see something that’s missing, outdated, or inaccurate in this guide, or have a question that hasn’t been answered, please email us at editors@oaklandside.org.
The big picture
- How dangerous are wildfires this season?
- How at-risk is the urban East Bay to wildland fire?
- What’s the history of wildfires in Oakland?
- What’s being done to reduce the risk of wildfires in Oakland?
- What constitutes dangerous activity during fire season and how should I report it?
- Which apps and websites can help me during a wildfire?
Preparation
- How do I prepare to evacuate my home?
- What is a ‘go bag’ and how do I make one?
- What should be in my ‘go bag’?
- How can seniors and people with disabilities prepare for wildfires?
- What if I’m unhoused or know people who are in my area?
- How should I prepare to evacuate my pets?
- How can I volunteer to help with others’ wildfire needs?
Evacuation
- How will I know when to evacuate?
- Who will most likely have to evacuate?
- I’ve been ordered to evacuate. What should I do?
- What does a Red Flag Warning mean?
- What are the dangers of Diablo winds?
- When should I preemptively relocate during fire season?
- Who will be there to help during and after a wildfire?
Air quality
- What do wildfires have to do with air pollution? How do distant fires cause pollution in the Bay Area?
- How bad is wildfire smoke for my health?
- I’ve had COVID-19. What do I need to know about wildfire smoke?
- How can I protect myself from wildfire smoke? When do I need to wear a mask or stay indoors?
- Which masks best protect against wildfire smoke?
- How can I reduce the impact of wildfire smoke inside of my home?
- How can I monitor air quality in my neighborhood?
Property
- How do I protect my property against wildfire?
- Do defensible space regulations apply to my property?
- What help is available if I can’t afford the high costs of fire prevention?
- I rent. What should I know about wildfire safety?
- Should I use sprinklers or hose down my yard or deck during a fire? (No!)
- My fire insurance was canceled. What should I do?
Wildfire Guide supported by
Latest wildfire stories
The shrubs across the street nearly cost him his home insurance
It’s not yet common, but in high-risk fire neighborhoods, Oakland hills residents may find that keeping their home insurance depends on how well their neighbors prune their property.
Red flag warnings: What they are and why they matter
Oakland fire officials and Bay Area weather experts say getting residents to take the alerts seriously is an ongoing challenge—and has never been so important.
Oakland’s fire-fighting goats are finishing up their seasonal work
The herds, which are managed by the city of Oakland and East Bay Regional Park District fire departments, are nearly done with their annual munch-fest, which helps clear dry grass and debris from the East Bay hills.
As mass tree death worsens, East Bay parks get $10M for removal
About 1,500 acres of trees in the the East Bay Regional Park District have been affected by a new die-off pattern that’s seen as dangerous during fire season.
This wildfire guide is a collaboration between The Oaklandside and Berkeleyside. It was written by Kate Darby Rauch and Brian Krans, edited by Zac Farber and Jacob Simas, illustrated by T.L. Simons, and designed by Doug Ng. You can read a version of the guide tailored for Berkeley residents on Berkeleyside.
Information overload can be an issue as you plan for emergencies. That’s why we’ve compared information and vetted sources for you, with the aim of providing only credible and recent information.
Sources used in compiling this guide include: CalFire, Berkeley Fire Department, Oakland Fire Department, FEMA, Alameda County Fire Department, U.S. Forest Service, National Interagency Fire Center, National Wildfire Coordinating Group, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Centers for Disease Control, Pacific Gas & Electric, East Bay Municipal Utility District, East Bay Regional Park District, California Fire Safe Council, Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, Community Emergency Alert Teams, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, University of California Cooperative Extension, Oakland Animal Services, Berkeley Disaster Preparedness Neighborhood Network, Alameda County Office of Emergency Services, Oakland Firesafe Council, Diablo Firesafe Council, FIRESafe Marin, Public Health Institute, California Air Resources Board, Bay Area Air Quality Management District, American Red Cross, Zonehaven, ALERTWildfire, City of Mill Valley, City of Ross
The image illustrating defensible space in the property section of this guide is adapted from the Wildfire Home Retrofit Guide (publication #SP-20-11) with permission from University of Nevada, Reno Extension and the Living With Fire Program.