Is Orinda Prepared for A Major Wildfire Like the one in Lahaina?
Lahaina, Maui Fire Is A Wakeup Call for All Wildfire Prone Towns
Orinda is not much bigger than Lahaina. Lahaina’s population is about 13,000 and land is about 8 square miles. Orinda population is close to 20,000 and its land is under 13 square miles. Both have lots of trees and vegetation.
Can a devastating wildfire like in Lahaina happen in Orinda? In an answer to a similar question from the Orinda Vice Mayor Darlene Gee, MOFD Chief Winnacker responded, “The combination of fuels, topography, and weather in our area that supported the devastating fires of 1923 and 1991, make a similar situation possible, however, I am very encouraged by the efforts underway by our residents to make Orinda and Moraga fire adapted.”
At the August 2 x 2 meeting between the City of Orinda and MOFD, he described the efforts underway by CalTrans along Highway 24, work completed on city and town owned open spaces, as well as actions taken by residents in Orinda and Moraga to clear the dead trees, brush and other fuels close to structures.
“I went on a field trip to see the Shaded Fuel Break, and I was impressed how the clearing was so open and appealing under the canopy of trees,” said Micki Cronin, City of Orinda’s Emergency Preparedness lead.
Funded by Cal Fire, the $6.3 million MOFD Tunnel-East Bay Hills Fuel Break project is removing hazardous fuels in an area stretching from western Orinda through Moraga and into the unincorporated communities of Canyon and Bollinger Canyon. This project extends previous fuel mitigation work completed in 2019 as part of the North Orinda Shaded Fuel Break.
Chief Winnacker noted that in conjunction with defensible space, home hardening and large landowner fuel mitigation requirements, the fuel break project will significantly reduce the East Bay’s risk of wildfire loss.
“We are making progress but we need everyone’s help to make our community safe,” voiced Fire Marshall Jeff Isaacs. He and other experts believe that the miracle red roof house in Lahaina survived only because of there being no combustible materials near the house. “The Zone zero (0 -5 feet) of any structure,” Jeff stated, “is crucial to a home’s survival.”
“The City of Orinda has developed a robust web site,” added Dave Biggs, City Manager, “And we recommend that everyone visit the site and get familiar with the information there.” https://www.cityoforinda.org/DocumentCenter/View/3830/Fire-Evacuation-Guide-and-General-Information-Flyer
“Evacuate Early” is the mantra of Chief Winnacker and his team. “Be prepared and, if in doubt, leave even before the evacuation is called,” he summarized.
Owners removed all vegetation along the house and added a stone buffer to thwart termites but this may have also helped to save the house.
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S. K. Gupta is a former senior executive of a Fortune 50 corporation. He enjoys researching and writing about the not-so-obvious things in life. Feedback welcome. sk.gupta.us@gmail.com.
