Berkeley Firefighters Practice Wildfire Response

BERKELEY, CA — Berkeley fire crews are joining neighboring agencies this week for a wildfire response exercise to keep skills sharp as fire season kicks into high gear. The three-day training started Monday and continued Wednesday in the Grizzly Peak and Tilden Park area and is scheduled to wrap up Friday afternoon.

"During these exercises, multiple fire engines and firefighters will operate throughout the area, practicing area familiarization, structure defense, and water zone reviews," the Berkeley Fire Department said in a statement. "This may look like a real incident, but it is a planned exercise, and there is no cause for concern.

According to Berkeleyside, the drills will include crews around Kenginston, Albany and El Cerrito, and the fire departments will prepare for a scenario similar to the 2017 Tubbs Fire. In Berkeley, the training will include discussions about structural defense strategies and reviewing the locations of East Bay Municipal Utility District fire hydrants.

Berkeley Wildfire Drills

• Dates: June 24, 26 & 28, 2024
• Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Location: Grizzly Peak/Tilden Park