Full Notification

As wildfire concerns intensify over the summer, we're asking residents in the Berkeley hills to prepare their households for potential evacuations and also consider taking part in City-led evacuation drills in August.
 
There are steps you can take on your own. Make a plan to evacuate by foot or car. Sign up for emergency notifications. Prepare a "go bag" for each person in your home. Learn more on our evacuation page.
 
In addition, sign up for the Sunday evacuation drills in your hills neighborhood. The Berkeley Fire Department, other city departments, volunteers and others will be participating.
 

• On August 11^th, 9-10am: The approximate impacted drill area will be between the borders of Wildcat Canyon Road (to the east) and The Alameda (to the west) and Berkeley-Contra Costa County border (to the north) and Codornices Park area (to the south).
•  
• On August 25^th, 9-10am: The approximate impacted drill area will be between the borders of the Berkeley- Contra Costa County border (to the east) and Spruce Street (to the west) and Codornices Park area (to the north) and UC Berkeley campus (to the south).

 
See an online map of the evacuation drill areas. If you're in one of the areas and you'd like to participate, send your contact information and address to [email protected]. Berkeley Fire Department will provide instructions on how to participate in the drill. The evacuation locations that are given for the drills may not be the evacuation point for an actual fire. An actual wildfire may start anywhere and drill locations may not be safe places, depending on the proximity of danger and other factors.
 
You can also take steps on your own to prepare and practice for wildfires.
 
PREPARE: Sign up for emergency information and evacuation notices via AC Alert, where you can decide which of your phone numbers you want alerted. You can also find information during emergencies by listening to 1610 AM, Berkeley's Emergency Radio Station.  Pack a "go bag" for each member of your household with the things you would need to safely evacuate. Learn more on our wildfire evacuation website.
 
PRACTICE: Make a plan to evacuate using two different routes by foot, and two routes for your family to leave via car. Practice using them.
 
Plan for you and your neighbors to help each other. Make sure everyone knows to evacuate, and has a backup plan if they can't drive out.  The Berkeley Path Wanderers have very useful maps of the hills, which can help you plan your route.  In August, different hills neighborhoods will have the opportunity to practice evacuation with firefighters and other first responders.
 
BE AWARE: Wildfire threats are highest on dry, windy days.  When the National Weather Service releases "Red Flag Day" notices, you will receive a notification from the AC Alert system. On those days, be careful in the hills, avoiding anything that could cause a spark, and make sure your household is ready to rapidly evacuate.

The Office of Emergency Services helps the City of Berkeley and its people plan for, respond to, and recover from disasters. Learn more about what you can do to get ready for disasters by visiting our websites about wildfire evacuation and all other hazards.
 
Get prepared and join us for one of the drills in August.