Wildfire preparedness

EBMUD secures vital infrastructure and protects public safety for more than 1.5 million water customers, and 740,000 wastewater customers in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. EBMUD takes action and leverages partnerships to minimize wildfire risk.

EBMUD’s service area spans over 332 square miles, nearly seven times the size of San Francisco. EBMUD operates and maintains hundreds of facilities including water treatment plants, pumping plants, and treated water tanks. These facilities supply water to customers and hydrants. 

Is EBMUD prepared for major fires? 

Yes. EBMUD prepares year-round for wildfire threats through vegetation management, infrastructure investments, emergency planning, regional coordination, and ongoing staff training.​​​​ 

Vegetation Management

EBMUD manages 57,000 acres in the East Bay and Sierra Nevada Foothills to protect water
supply and reduce wildfire risk. EBMUD: 

  • Builds and maintains fuel breaks
  • Uses cattle and goats to graze weeds and brush
  • Removes dead and dying trees
  • Maintains fire roads
  • Conducts prescribed burns that also provide firefighting training opportunities 

In the East Bay, EBMUD invests $2.5 million annually in grazing, fire prevention, and forestry programs. 

Infrastructure Investments
EBMUD is ready to maintain water operations during PG&E power shutoffs. We have permanent generators at critical facilities and a fleet of portable generators and pumps. In addition, we check valves regularly, conduct hydrant maintenance and inspections, test hydrants, and coordinate with fire departments to keep the water system ready for emergencies. 

Emergency Response

  • EBMUD coordinates with fire districts and CalFire, and provides water from EBMUD’s storage reservoirs – a critical resource for aerial firefighting. 
  • To maintain uninterrupted water delivery during PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoffs, EBMUD deploys backup generators to affected facilities. 
  • On Red Flag days, reservoirs are topped off to maximize water availability for firefighting.
  • Regular emergency drills and staff training further enhance EBMUD’s readiness for emergencies.
  • As a mutual assistance partner, EBMUD provides expertise to other regional agencies. 

Coordination 
Following the 1991 Oakland Hills Fire, EBMUD helped establish the Hills Emergency Forum, a regional partnership of fire departments and land managers, focused on wildfire preparedness and response. 

The forum, which includes agencies like CalFire, EBMUD, East Bay Regional Park District, UC Berkeley, and local cities, meets regularly and has standardized hydrant fittings for mutual aid access. Additionally,
EBMUD hosts an annual “Fire Forum” to coordinate with fire departments.

Research
EBMUD partnered with utilities and the Water Research Foundation to develop wildfire recovery plans based on lessons learned from major fires in California and Colorado.

Could firestorms happen in the East Bay? 

Wildfires are getting worse resulting from higher temperatures and more extreme droughts, as seen in Lahaina, Paradise and Los Angeles. After the devasting Oakland Hills Fire in 1991, EBMUD better prepared with operational improvements and coordination plans.

EBMUD is part of a statewide mutual assistance network and is connected with the California Office of
Emergency Services to provide and/or receive assistance following natural disasters and other emergencies. This can include mobilizing personnel, equipment, and expertise needed for emergency response and recovery.

Wind-driven fires stress water distribution systems. Response is a coordinated effort.

EBMUD Fire preparedness fact sheet

What is the status of the East Bay’s fire hydrants? 

The EBMUD water system includes about 31,000 public fire hydrants in its 332-square-mile service area in the East Bay. EBMUD repairs or replaces hydrants, as necessary. These repairs are coordinated with local fire agencies. Additionally, EBMUD inspects hydrants in high-risk fire zones to ensure accessibility.  

Some fire agencies perform flow tests on EBMUD hydrants to verify flow availability. This data is shared with EBMUD for inclusion in a larger database. Additionally, EBMUD tests hydrants in response to customer water quality concerns.  

The loss of hydrant pressure is predominantly caused by demand. Too many hydrants in use in the same area can cause pressure loss. Municipal systems are not designed to maintain flow and pressure when dozens of hydrants are in use at the same time. Following the Southern California fires, EBMUD met with various fire agencies in our service area to review EBMUD’s system, coordinate fire preparation and response, and clarify any outstanding questions.

View a map of fire hydrant pressures in the Fire Hazard Severity Zones within EBMUD's service area.

Fire Hydrant Pressure Map

Take Action 

The Bay Area is vulnerable to many types of emergencies. Be ready. Sign up for emergency alerts for your area.