As the Bay Area braces for hotter temperatures and an increased risk of wildfires, fire safety has become a growing concern in the Berkeley Hills. This elevated risk has led to the introduction of the EMBER proposal—Effective Mitigations for Berkeley Ember Resilience—an initiative aimed at making homes more fire-resilient. However, the proposal has ignited strong reactions among residents, with some questioning its feasibility and fairness.
George Perez Velez, a longtime resident of the Berkeley Hills for over two decades, is one of many homeowners who have adhered strictly to annual fire safety regulations. He supports fire mitigation efforts and expresses a deep respect for firefighters and public safety. Still, he finds the new EMBER proposal lacking in clarity and community involvement. The proposal, currently under review by the Berkeley City Council, would mandate residents to remove all flammable materials, including plants and trees, within five feet of their homes. According to Perez Velez, this creates financial and logistical burdens, especially for retirees and those living on fixed incomes.
Perez Velez pointed out that the city failed to develop a financial plan to support this sweeping change. He argued that expecting residents to cover costs that can exceed $5,000 without providing assistance or a dedicated mitigation fund is unrealistic and places undue stress on vulnerable community members. He also emphasized the lack of consistent communication, noting that for years residents were told they were in compliance through annual inspections, and now suddenly those measures are deemed inadequate.
Berkeley Councilmember Brent Blackaby acknowledged the concerns raised by constituents but stressed the need to act decisively in order to protect approximately 1,800 homes located in the high fire severity zone. He stated that fires in similar terrains typically start in nearby parks and then sweep into residential areas, putting entire neighborhoods at risk. To help finance the transition, Blackaby cited Proposition 4, passed by the state last year, which will channel a billion dollars into fire prevention efforts over the next year. In addition, the city has secured $1 million from Cal Fire and is working on a transfer tax credit system aimed at reducing the out-of-pocket expenses for homeowners.
Blackaby underlined that the city does not expect immediate compliance but rather sees the EMBER initiative as the beginning of a longer journey toward greater safety. He emphasized the importance of making it feasible for as many residents as possible to participate by ensuring accessible financing options.
Yet, community skepticism remains. In response to what he views as rushed and impractical regulation, Perez Velez has founded the Alliance for Practical Fire Solutions, a group advocating for balanced, effective fire safety policies. He recalled that for two decades, residents received consistent guidance on how to fireproof their properties and were told they were in compliance. Now, he argues, that framework has been entirely discarded in favor of rules that feel sudden and financially burdensome.
The ongoing debate in the Berkeley Hills captures a larger tension seen throughout California—how to best balance effective wildfire prevention with fairness and affordability for residents. While there is broad consensus on the need for enhanced fire safety measures, the details of implementation remain contentious. As state and local governments continue to confront the growing threat of wildfires, the discussion in Berkeley may serve as a test case for other communities facing similar risks.
