Berkeley homeowners react to enforcement of 5-foot rule

BERKELEY, Calif. (KRON) — One month after the City of Berkeley approves an ordinance enforcing the 5-foot rule, which creates 5 feet of defensible space within a home, KRON4 checks in with homeowners to see how they’re preparing as warm weather rises in the East Bay.

Many homeowners in the Berkeley and Oakland hills say they take pride in their landscaping because they know far too well the fire danger they endure over here. But as you can see, just steps away from neighborhoods, there’s plenty of vegetation.

In the Berkeley Hills, homeowner Dan Scarola is already prepared for fire season. That’s because, in 1991, his newly purchased home that burned down in a wildfire has since been rebuilt.

“We know how important it is to keep the grass trimmed back and keep all the flammable stuff to a minimum and at bay,” Scarola said.

100 feet away from his home to be safe — near the eucalyptus trees that carry embers far and wide. He now enjoys sweeping views of the Bay Area but also of the reminders of fire season in the newly constructed homes.

“You never feel quite safe, and you have a bag packed all the time in case something terrible happens but safer for sure,” Scarola said.

He and his neighbors in fire-prone areas are asked to cut back any dry, flammable vegetation at least 5 feet back.

That is a rule that helps keep homes and homeowners safe.

“The fires are only going to be more and more over time, so it’s good to get a head of it and be prepared. And it’s good for Berkeley to be thinking in a forward nature about it,” said Berkeley resident Mike Liddel.

In the Grizzly Peak area, another homeowner who asked not to be named says she was recently notified that she was compliant of the 5-foot rule, but it wasn’t always the case.