East Bay Regional Parks Boosts Wildfire Prevention Efforts

EAST BAY, CA — The East Bay Regional Park District is intensifying its wildfire prevention efforts as fires across California continue to pose significant threats to communities. The district, which manages over 86,800 acres of parkland, is focused on fuels reduction—removing hazardous vegetation to minimize fire risks. These efforts are outlined in two Wildfire Hazard Reduction Plans covering 5,280 acres in the most critical areas.

“The East Bay Regional Park District works year-round to reduce fire fuels to help keep parks and surrounding communities safe,” said Fire Chief Aileen Theile. “The goal is to reduce fire intensity to give firefighters a fighting chance when fires do occur.”

Over the last six years, the number of personnel dedicated to fire prevention has increased from six to 23, while spending on wildfire protection has surged from $2.2 million to $9.4 million, funded by local, state, and federal sources.

At Anthony Chabot Regional Park, crews are working on a 667-acre fuels reduction project, with 475 acres already cleared of hazardous vegetation, including eucalyptus.

Meanwhile, at Tilden Regional Park, efforts are underway to establish a Grizzly Peak Strategic Fuel Break, which includes roadside brush clearing and tree removal along South Park Drive and Golf Course Drive.

These projects aim to reduce wildfire risk while improving the resilience of natural ecosystems.

Innovative tools are also being used to enhance fire prevention. The district has introduced a carbonizer, a device that turns plant debris into biochar, a material that improves soil quality while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Grazing by cattle, sheep, and goats remains a key part of fire mitigation, with thousands of acres grazed annually across the park system.

The district’s fire reduction efforts have already proven effective. In the past eight months, six vehicle fires occurred near treatment areas where fuel reduction work allowed firefighters to suppress flames before they spread. “With the three elements required for fire—heat, oxygen, and fuel—one of the elements we can control is fuel,” said Assistant Fire Chief Khari Helae. “Many recent fires in the East Bay have shown the effectiveness of fuels reduction efforts.”

East Bay Regional Parks is also prepared for emergency response, with a 23-member firefighting team, specialized wildland firefighting equipment, and two helicopters for aerial water drops. The district collaborates with CalFire and local agencies through mutual aid agreements, ensuring a coordinated response to wildfires.

“The large fuels reduction projects underway at Anthony Chabot, Tilden, and other regional parks in the East Bay are critical to wildfire safety and are already making a measurable difference,” said General Manager Sabrina Landreth. “The support and funding from our local, state, and federal partners has been crucial.”

More information on wildfire prevention efforts can be found at ebparks.org.