The Orinda City Council recently approved an increase that doubles the matching funds available to residents for work done to bring their property into compliance with the fire code. Using funds raised by the increased sales tax approved by the voters in 2020, the city will match 50% of expenditures by homeowners annually, up to $1,000 per year.
The grants under the Measure R Fire Fuels Reduction Incentive Pilot Program were previously limited to $500 in matching grants. Orinda residents may now apply for the program each calendar year, so long as funds are available.
Additionally, in the past the grants were limited to evacuation routes, but now residents on any roads that may be accessed by fire equipment qualify. Residents also need to be in a current Firewise community, have had a Fire Adapted Community Assessment completed within a calendar year, or have received a notice from the Moraga Orinda Fire District that the property is not in compliance.
The types of work that will qualify for the grants include: total removal of Eucalyptus and/ or Monterey Pine trees; total removal of dead or dying trees; removal of ladder fuels (shrubs and bushes),
creating 6-foot gap between the lower tree canopy and the ground; removal of juniper and bamboo; and removal of hazardous vegetation or combustible material to a minimum height of 15 feet within three feet of a fire apparatus road measured from back of curb or edge of pavement.
Cash payments cannot be reimbursed; there must be written proof of payment, such as a cancelled check or bank statement.
More details are available, along with the application form, on the City of Orinda's website: www.cognitoforms.com/CityOfOrinda1/MeasureRFireFuelsReductionIncentivePilotProgramApplication
The grants under the Measure R Fire Fuels Reduction Incentive Pilot Program were previously limited to $500 in matching grants. Orinda residents may now apply for the program each calendar year, so long as funds are available.
Additionally, in the past the grants were limited to evacuation routes, but now residents on any roads that may be accessed by fire equipment qualify. Residents also need to be in a current Firewise community, have had a Fire Adapted Community Assessment completed within a calendar year, or have received a notice from the Moraga Orinda Fire District that the property is not in compliance.
The types of work that will qualify for the grants include: total removal of Eucalyptus and/ or Monterey Pine trees; total removal of dead or dying trees; removal of ladder fuels (shrubs and bushes),
creating 6-foot gap between the lower tree canopy and the ground; removal of juniper and bamboo; and removal of hazardous vegetation or combustible material to a minimum height of 15 feet within three feet of a fire apparatus road measured from back of curb or edge of pavement.
Cash payments cannot be reimbursed; there must be written proof of payment, such as a cancelled check or bank statement.
More details are available, along with the application form, on the City of Orinda's website: www.cognitoforms.com/CityOfOrinda1/MeasureRFireFuelsReductionIncentivePilotProgramApplication
Reach the reporter at:
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA