started earlier this year and will be more comprehensive. The Oakland and Berkeley Fire Departments have assigned fire prevention and fire suppression personnel into the critical fire areas to contact all residents to discuss the fire problem and show them what they can do as individuals to protect their homes and property. At a later date, those properties, which are deemed to be a fire hazard for various reasons, will be posted. If the owners do not take corrective actions, the necessary work will be done and the cost will be added to their property tax bill. When the critical fire season approaches, which is determined by the temperature, humidity, direction of wind and wind velocity, additional equipment and personnel will be assigned to the hill area fire stations. It has been proposed, but not finalized at this time, to put fire lookout towers into operation during the critical fire hazard period. Alameda and Contra Costa Counties have mutual aid systems in effect which make the entire resources of the two counties available on an instantaneous basis, as well as the resources of the State of California Office of Emergency Services. Fire and Rescue Division, Region II, which includes the sixteen north coastal counties. In the near future, the fire services of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties will hold test exercises, developed in various fire situations, in the critical hill fire areas to insure our effectiveness in time of need. VEGATATIVE MANAGEMENT The above ground parts of most eucalyptus with dry, brownish cambium are dead. There is a potential high safety hazard from fire and falling trees and limbs. Eucalyptus will remain in the landscape due to sprouts and seeds but they may be permanently removed from some areas. The following approaches in their order of priority are suggested: 1. Reduce the fire and falling tree hazard in high priority areas such as picnic sites, roads and trails, near buildings and next to private lands and utility installations. 2. Isolate other high hazard areas. Clear cut eucalyptus logging leaving native woody plants. Reduce ground fuel, followed by grass seeding and brush control, either by chemical or mechanical means, or both. Ground fuel reduction with no grass seeding but brush control. 3. Remove small trees and other ground fuels. This could be done by burning in place, discing, pile and burn, etc. Grass seeding may be advisable to compete with unwanted brush species and reduce erosion hazard. Those areas with dead trees should be posted. 4. A vegetative management plan must be prepared to inventory the affected area and determine landscape (viewscape) uses. The plan must provide for the development of an effective fire protection system including the effect of the landscape on the system. The plan should also provide for a management program for landscape improvement and maintenance, including costs. It appears that if we know what we have, we can know what to do. With such a plan, it appears likely discussions and understandings between all concerned parties would be clearer. It is strongly suggested by many, especially since the September 1970 Oakland Hills fire, that a mosaic of grasslands and trees be established and maintained for the purpose of fire protection, enhancing views, creating more usable space and separating potentially flammable areas. Most agree that controlled spring ground fires to reduce fuel are useful. The expense in relation to mechanical and chemical control was questioned. This may be academic since each method may have its place. There is no question that live trees are easier to cut and easier on equipment than dry-dead trees. The difference may not be significant if large heavy duty equipment is used. While there is a real advantage in "moving" while there is wide interest, there is some feeling that eucalyptus tree removal should take place within a year or at the most two years. Eliminating eucalyptus from the area has been mentioned. Most agree that this is impractical, if not impossible, and is even irresponsible thinking. There is plenty of viable seed. Basal trunk sprouting is certain and it appears highly unlikely that enough equipment, manpower or money could be marshalled together even if it were desirable to eliminate the genus from the entire area. We think most people believe these local groves have served very usefully and they would rebel at total replacement attempts. While these eucalyptus species are known to be fire hazards, there is lack of consensus for a replacement program. This should be resolved through a vegetative management plan. The use of registered chemicals to control undesirable growth is frequently brought up as a management tool. Fear of public attitude against this appears to have deadened interest in the approach. Perhaps if costs, alternatives, and technical information were discussed with concerned parties, a rational decision could be reached. TREE DISPOSAL AND MARKETING Four general market areas appear to be available for eucalyptus wood. The first is for pulp, either in chip or log form. Locally, the Fibreboard Company has indicated that they would take up to fifteen hundred tons a week at $4.00 per ton FOB, Antioch. Other contractors have surveyed the area and are to submit proposals. Foreign (Japanese) outlets have been contacted but have made no comment to date. Secondly, the use of trees for firewood. While there are numerous commercial woodcutters available who have indicated an interest, no commitments have been made. Of the several thousand trees felled to date, local citizens have removed most of the material for firewood without cost to themselves or the jurisdictions involved. A third market or use is that for pilings and fenders for piers. Trees have been supplied to the Corps of Engineers, Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard and the Port of Oakland. The fourth use is that for poles and rails. Numerous private concerns and organizations are interested in removal, however, the market is of limited commercial interest. The removal of trees and the disposal of debris on private lands is an especially difficult problem. Unless federal disaster funds become available the cost of removal must be borne by the individual property owner. While the individual land owner may remove trees on his own property, removal by a tree service is recommended. Removal by a commercial agency with their own market might be possible. The removal of debris, on the other hand, could be accomplished by use of National Guard trucks with community volunteers to pick up debris at designated points. The alternatives are utilization of commercial drop boxes or the owner hauling material to designated collection sites. The debris, thus removed, could be taken to a local dump (if available) or to selected sites for possible fill and cover or burning. Some material could be composted. On public lands, the removal of trees could be done by commercial logging and land clearing with a possible market outlet. If that is not possible, a small scale in-house effort, directed to priority areas could be somewhat effective. Debris could be removed on site by fill and cover, or prescribed or pit burning (12 tons per hour), or the material could be chipped and broadcast. Using a Camran portable combustion unit, about twenty tons of slash an hour could be disposed of. Debris removed off site could be taken to designated disposal areas as chips or slash. Several local sites could be used for fill and cover or burning. Burning would be by use of the distructor method, pile burning either by high energy or small scale method. COMMENT Little can be accomplished without funds and the problem of the eucalyptus trees and their ground fuels are no exception. The cost of removal of trees and fuels from private property in many cases will exceed the value of the property or place an onerous burden on the homeowner. Local jurisdictions lack sufficient funding to accomplish but little more than some protection to especially high risk areas, and not too much of that. If the Governor determines the situation warrants it, he may ask the President to declare the area a disaster area. If this is done, federal funds may be made available to do much of the necessary work, including removal of debris from private property without cost to the owner. In addition, some costs incurred by local jurisdictions would be paid by the Federal Government. A second alternative would be an appropriation of State funds by the legislature, or a combination of both. It has been proposed that funding for the work, either by the State or the Federal Government be through the State Forester. Because of the multiplicity of jurisdictions involved, it would be easier to have just one agency handling funds. The Office of the State Forester is a well run agency with the expertise, knowledge and broad contract powers necessary to accomplish the work. Until each of the avenues of funding are explored, little effective work can be accomplished. Local jurisdictions are expending funds and time to do what can be done, but outside help is absolutely necessary. The Interagency Advisory Committee will continue to review every means of approach to the problem in their attempt to find solutions. ADDENDUM On Wednesday, April 4, 1973, Governor Ronald Reagan took the following action relative to the eucalyptus problem : 1. Governor Reagan will immediately declare a state of emergency throughout the affected area. 2. The Governor also will ask the President to declare the threatened portions of the East Bay hills a disaster area. If this is granted, local residents can apply for federal help, including low-interest loans, to assist them in clearing their property of potential fire hazards such as dead trees, brush, debris and fallen bark from the trees. 3. Those state and local governmental agencies affected will establish a joint operations center to coordinate fire prevention activities and to insure an immediate, maximum response in order to control and suppress any fires which might occur. 4. The California Division of Forestry will increase its fire fighting capability throughout the hazard area to back up other governmental agencies. 5. The state will establish a fire prevention headquarters base in the fire hazard area and assign Ecology Corps crews, with full equipment, to cut about 12 miles of fuel breaks through the hills to make sure that any fires which might occur in the future can be quickly and safely contained and suppressed. 6. Local entities will continue their organization of volunteer efforts at the local level to reduce potential fire dangers in the area, particularly on private property. 7. The State will detail National Guard units and equipment, plus hauling equipment from other departments of State government such as Public Works and the Division of Forestry, to augment the work of local agencies and volunteers in transporting away debris, brush and other ground fuel which have been gathered on both public and private property. 8. Local governmental agencies will enforce all fire prevention ordinances within their own jurisdictions. 9. The state will implement strong fire prevention regulations on all stateowned property within the fire hazard area. 10. Local agencies already have assigned the overall project top priority, including the commitment to make the maximum use of local resources in dealing with the problem, provision of additional water supply for fire suppression and the control of access to critical hazard areas. WILLIAM H. HILDEBRAND, COUNTY OF CONTRA COSTA, Assistant Director, Office of Emergency Services, DEAR BILL: In answer to your letter of April 16, 1973, this describes Contra Costa County action related to the Governor's declaration of a "State of Emergency" due to damaged eucalyptus trees in the East Bay Hills areas. March 6, 1973, the County Board of Supervisors, by Board Order, authorized Mr. R. E. Nelson, Assistant Director, Office of Emergency Services, to represent Contra Costa County on the Intergovernmental Advisory Committee, established to provide a coordinated approach to the solution of environmental and fire threat problem resulting from the freezing weather which killed eucalyptus trees in Alameda and Contra Counties. On March 6, 1973, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, by Resolution No. 73/140, conveyed its grave concern in the matter of the eucalyptus tree damage to the Governor of the State of California and its representatives in the State Legislature and United States Congress, and urged that sufficient funds be provided to the State Division of Forestry to enable that necessary measures be taken for the protection of persons and property in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties to resolve the tree problem. March 20, 1973, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, by Resolution No. 73/188, in view of the fire and related problems threat caused by the damaged trees-wherein the area of the tree threat resides some 8,852 persons with assessed property value approximately $21,920,000-proclaimed the existence of a "Local Emergency", stated that this resolution is in support of similar resolutions already passed by the Board of Supervisors of Alameda County and the City of Oakland and Berkeley and requested that the Governor declare these areas to be in a "State of Emergency." Principal agencies involved within the prescribed area of danger: (1) The County Public Works Department. Public Works has canvassed the public rightof-ways in the critical area and inventoried some 400 to 500 damaged eucalyptus trees. $250,000 have been earmarked for treatment of these trees. Removal of trees will be done only where professionally indicated as necessary. The remaining trees will be trimmed and treated as necessary. To date more than 70 trees, determined to be dead, have been removed. (2) The Moraga Fire Protection District. (3) The Orinda Fire Protection District. (4) The Kensington Fire District and Kensington Community Service District (identical district lines). (5) The City of El Cerrito, and the City of El Cerrito Fire Department. The several fire agencies have instituted a vigorous fire prevention information program for the residents within their area, upgraded their fire prevention programs, and where indicated, advised damaged tree removal from private property. Additionally, the El Cerrito City Council provided $1,000 to implement the City Fire Prevention Program related to the trees and to assist property owners in the disposal of hazardous ground cover. At the Intergovernmental Advisory Committee meeting held on Thursday, April 12. 1973, the Kensington Fire District Fire Chief Don Markert was noted as the Fire Service Coordinator for the several involved Contra Costa fire agencies for completion of the State Forestry Program instituted pursuant to the Governor's declaration of a "State of Emergency". At this time, State Forestry indicates that their fuel break work of 10.2 miles is programmed for Alameda County area—to stop at, or approximately 200 yards north of the Contra Costa County line. Much brush and tree clearance within this county, within the area of State Forestry fire responsibility, will apparently be left undone. Sincerely, R. E. (RON) NELSON, STATEMENT TO THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION FROM CALIFORNIA Reference: Eucalyptus Fire Hazard, Oakland-Berkeley Hills GENTLEMEN: El Cerrito joins with other agencies in the East Bay in a desperate appeal for reversal of the latest recommendations from the Office of Emergency Preparedness against declaring this area a disaster area. It is our understanding that the Office of Emergency Preparedness was prepared to make a favorable recommendation but reversed this position upon consultation with the Office of the President. The City of El Cerrito lies immediately south and adjacent to the hill area extending from Oakland through Berkeley. El Cerrito has perhaps 50 to 100 acres of severely damaged eucalyptus tree groves which present a serious fire hazard. Property owners and the City have joined together to eliminate as much of the fire hazard as possible. However, certain aspects of this problem would cost more to eliminate than the property is worth. Still, the fire hazard is a major community threat. Clearly, the scope of the problem to protect El Cerrito from a catastrophic fire storm in the hill area is beyond the resources of this city. Federal help is urgently needed. It is estimated that as many as 2,000 eucalyptus trees, ranging from 40 to 80 feet in height, are affected. The City of El Cerrito fully supports action by the joint committee of the East Bay agencies seeking to help in reversing the apparent decision made by the Office of Emergency Preparedness action from the Office of the President as a result. El Cerrito also joins in efforts for increasing commitments from the State of California through the Governor's office. KENNETH A. BERNDT, Mayor of El Cerrito, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, ACTIONS AND PLANS TO RELIEVE WILD FIRE HAZARD The University of California, Berkeley, plan for relieving the wild fire hazard on its land consists of four phases: 1. Emergency measures to reduce extreme fire threat to University buildings and private residences adjacent to University land and to clear areas along public roads traversing University land. 2. Remove dead eucalyptus trees and excess ground fuel from areas not included in 1. above. 3. Long range program to keep fire hazards at acceptably low levels through a continuous, progressive program of controlled burning of ground fuel accumulations. 4. Management of vegetation in Strawberry Canyon to promote fire safety and to preserve and enhance esthetic and academic values of the ecologic study areas. EMERGENCY ACTIONS Dead trees and ground fuel are being removed from the areas described in the emergency plan above. The Department of Physical Plant is supervising the operation under the direction of Mr. Russell Norman, the Campus Fire Marshal, and Professor Biswell. Students from the School of Forestry and Conservation are felling trees and bucking stems into manageable lengths. Members of the campus community and others are invited to remove the felled trees for fire wood, which they do with alacrity. Slash and ground fuel are trucked to a bench on Grizzly Peak Boulevard where the material is burned under supervision of the Berkeley Fire Department. COSTS OF EMERGENCY OPERATIONS Experience has shown that the cost of removing trees and ground fuel is about $4,000 per acre. The following table shows the estimated total cost for clearing emergency areas and the expenditures to April 26, 1973. ESTIMATED COST OF CLEARING AREAS AND EXPENDITURES Plans call for removal of all dead trees and ground fuel on University land not included in the emergency plan. Removal will proceed on a priority basis, |