Sudden Tree Die-Off A Fire Hazard In East Bay Regional Parks

FREMONT, CA — Dead trees at East Bay Regional Parks will be removed to reduce the danger of wildfires, the park district reports after receiving a direct appropriation of $13.5 million in the California State budget which was signed by the Governor last week.

Of the $13.5 million, $10 million is dedicated to addressing sudden tree die-off. Dead trees burn hotter, faster and are more likely to cast embers downwind – igniting potentially dangerous new fires. Additionally, many of the parkland areas impacted are in old eucalyptus plantations, which have a very high tree density.

The parks with the most significant tree mortality are Tilden Regional Park in Orinda and Berkeley, Anthony Chabot and Reinhardt Redwood Regional Parks in Oakland, and Miller Knox Regional Shoreline in Richmond.

“EBRPD has more than 1,500 acres of dead or dying trees affected by drought and climate change conditions that need immediate attention,” EBRPD Fire Chief Aileen Theile said, adding “these State funds couldn’t come at a better time as we are shovel ready” with designated projects to remove dangerous fuels in District parks while helping to keep forests healthy.

The other $3.5 million appropriation was proposed by Lamorinda's Assemblywoman Rebecca Bauer-Kahan to provide for fire equipment that will improve the Park District’s ability to fight fires, including the replacement of its aging helicopter which is relied upon as a primary tool to drop water on fires burning in inaccessible terrain.

Senators Nancy Skinner of Berkeley and Bob Wieckowski of Fremont proposed the money to address tree mortality.

“California is facing potentially its worst fire season in history due to the extreme heat, drought, and very dry conditions throughout our state,” Sen. Wieckowski said. “The East Bay Regional Park District is a wonderful local resource for all of us who love the outdoors. But it is not immune from these dangerous conditions. By removing dead trees and other sources that fuel wildfires, the District is proactively working to reduce risks and improve safety, and these funds will help accelerate the process,” he added.

First noticed in the East Bay in October 2020, sudden tree die-off is affecting many different species of trees throughout California, including eucalyptus, acacia, bay, and pine. The estimated cost to remove the dead or dying trees in the 1,500 acres already identified is $30 million based on current tree removal contracts.

In the past ten years, EBRPD has invested $20.5 million in its fuel reduction efforts to keep the East Bay hills safer from wildfire threats.

“We are so thankful for the support and leadership of our legislators in the East Bay, particularly Senators Nancy Skinner and Bob Wieckowski as well as Assemblywoman Rebecca Bauer-Kahan for recognizing the severity of the sudden tree die-off issue and providing funding to address it,” said EBRPD Board President Dee Rosario.

Wildfire protection is a year-round effort for the Park District that includes regular fuels reduction, professionally trained full-time and on-call wildland firefighters, and remote automatic weather stations that help monitor fire monitor wildfire risks and deploy fire staff and resources efficiently.

The Park District is one of few agencies that have in place an environmentally approved wildfire vegetation management plan and is a statewide example of how the drought emergency and vegetation management needs of a changing climate can be addressed to protect the community from the threat of wildfire.