Berkeley Fire Department Launches Eucalyptus Understory Program

BERKELEY FIRE DEPARTMENT LAUNCHES EUCALYPTUS UNDERSTORY CLEANUP PROGRAM

The Berkeley Fire Department (BFD) has launched a new initiative, the Eucalyptus Understory Cleanup Program, which will significantly reduce the risk of wildfires from fire-prone eucalyptus trees.

The Eucalyptus Understory Cleanup Program offers Berkeley residents a free one-time cleanup of eucalyptus trees' underlying layer of vegetation (or understory) on their private property. Cleanup services include removing dead and dried leaf and bark litter, stripping shedding bark from tree trunks, and trimming the lower limbs of trees.

If residents have eucalyptus trees on their property and have received a full access defensible space inspection in the past year, they qualify for the Eucalyptus Understory Cleanup Program.

BFD has several programs that help reduce wildfire risks in the Berkeley hills. Eucalyptus trees are a priority initiative since the trees' oily leaves can burn explosively, and their bark and treetops (canopies) can contribute to flying embers that spread fires with high winds.

To prevent catastrophic wildfires from spreading through Berkeley, firefighters continue to coordinate prevention measures like the Eucalyptus Understory Cleanup Program directly with residents. Fire Chief David Sprague said, “Our goal is for firefighters and residents to work together to transition Berkeley into a FireSafe community.”

For more information, please visit our website. Residents can fill out this application to get the process started.