Image courtesy of the East Bay Regional Park District
The East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) received $13.5 million from the California State budget to prevent wildfires, including $10 million to specifically remove dead and dying trees.
The $10 million appropriation, proposed by Senators Nancy Skinner (D-9, Berkeley) and Bob Wieckowski (D-10, Fremont), aims to address a new tree mortality phenomenon occurring in several parklands. First noticed in the East Bay in October 2020, EBRPD has more than 1,500 acres of dead or dying trees affected by drought and climate change conditions that need immediate attention, according to EBRPD Fire Chief Aileen Theile.
Miller Knox Regional Shoreline in Richmond, Anthony Chabot and Reinhardt Redwood Regional Parks in Oakland, and Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley/Orinda are locations most significantly impacted, according to EBRPD.
A personal tale: honoring heroic Oakland battalion chief who died in 1991
Honoring a hero from the 1991 Oakland Hills firestorm
Oakland firefighters are honoring a hero from the 1991 Oakland Hills firestorm. This year is the 30th anniversary of that deadly firestorm but no one has forgotten a battalion chief who died trying to save others.
OAKLAND, Calif. - At the Firestorm Memorial Garden Thursday, Oakland firefighters and residents gathered to remember a fallen firefighter.
They dedicated a new bench in honor of Oakland Battalion Chief James Riley who died in the East Bay firestorm, Oct. 20, 1991.
Anytime a public servant, particularly a firefighter gives his or her life in the line of duty they should be honored indefinitely. That s what we are doing today, said Oakland Fire Chief Reginald Freeman.