Wildfire Prevention Measures Under Consideration in Orinda and Moraga, with Local Officials Expressing Apprehension
In the tranquil communities of Orinda and Moraga, California, homeowners are facing a new reality as the cities consider passing one of the most aggressive fire prevention ordinances in the Bay Area. The proposed measure, if passed, would require homeowners to remove all vegetation within five feet of their homes, creating an "ember-free" zone around every property.
This move is a response to the high wildfire risk in the area, which has led to an insurance crisis. Many carriers have stopped renewing fire insurance for tens of thousands of customers due to the high wildfire risk. The ordinance is a proactive measure aimed at reducing this risk and protecting homes from the threat of wildfires.
The Moraga-Orinda Fire District (MOFD) enforces this ordinance and offers related services, including plan reviews, inspections, and permits. While fees are charged for these services, they may be waived under certain conditions such as financial hardship or community benefit. The district’s fuel break ordinance has withstood legal challenges, affirming its role in reducing wildfire risk in the community.
For homeowners, this means they are legally required to manage their property's vegetation and maintain fuel breaks that meet the fire district’s standards. Failure to comply may result in enforcement actions. However, the fire district may assist or reduce fees for qualifying individuals or projects that support fire prevention efforts.
Implementing the new measure is expected to be challenging, with Moraga's mayor stating that getting the community to accept the changes would be "hellacious." The changes could potentially impact the aesthetic of yards in Orinda and Moraga, adding to the challenges of implementing the new ordinance.
The article is published by a comprehensive and free newsletter, with a focus on local news in Lamorinda, as mentioned in other articles related to living in the area. A planned prescribed burn near St. Mary's College to reduce fire risk is also reported in the same news source.
Sources: - Moraga-Orinda Fire District Fee Schedule and Code Enforcement Services (mofd.org) - City of Orinda Instagram post on creating defensible space (instagram.com) - Renne Public Law Group press on MOFD Fuel Break Ordinance upheld by Superior Court (rennepubliclawgroup.com) - The San Francisco Chronicle reported on this potential change in the cities.
- In light of the increasing concern over climate change and its impact on environmental science, the proposed fire prevention ordinance in Orinda and Moraga, California, aims to reduce the high wildfire risk through proactive measures, such as creating ember-free zones and enforcing fuel break standards.
- As part of the policy-and-legislation cycle, local news sources, like the comprehensive and free newsletter serving Lamorinda, have been reporting on the aggressive fire prevention measure, as well as related efforts like planned prescribed burns, to keep residents informed and educated on these important issues.
- While the new fire prevention ordinance gains traction in the Bay Area, discussions on the role of politics and community willingness in implementing such measures, considering their potential impact on the aesthetic of yards in Orinda and Moraga, are becoming increasingly relevant in the general news discourse.
