Berkeley Enacts Wildfire Safety Ordinance Amid Insurance Cancellations

Berkeley City Council has enacted a new wildfire safety ordinance requiring homeowners in certain high-risk areas to maintain a 5-foot, plant-free perimeter around their houses. This regulation aims to reduce the spread of wildfires by eliminating flammable vegetation close to structures, thereby enhancing community resilience at the wildland-urban interface. The ordinance reflects growing concerns over increasing wildfire threats, which have led to insurance companies canceling homeowners' policies in the Berkeley hills due to heightened risk exposure. The rule applies to about 800 homes and will become effective at the end of the year, with anticipated compliance costs estimated between $2,000 and $5,000 per household. To aid lower-income residents, funding from a $1 million Cal Fire grant and local emergency response taxes are available. The ordinance has met with some opposition from residents citing cost concerns, disagreement about fire science, and reluctance to change landscaping, but local leadership emphasizes the urgency of mitigating wildfire risk through proactive measures. The initiative is part of broader efforts following devastating wildfires in California, highlighting the importance of preventative strategies to protect vulnerable communities and reduce insurance market instability in fire-prone regions. Berkeley's approach underscores a trend toward integrating community-level regulations with wildfire insurance management and fire risk mitigation strategies in urban-fringe areas.