ATTENTION: Assignment and Photo Desks, TV Crews

25 September 2002
Contact: Carol Hyman, Media Relations
(510) 643-7944

WHAT:
Major removal by the University of California, Berkeley, of almost four acres of eucalyptus in a particularly fire-prone grove at the headslope of Claremont Canyon. The clearance is one of the campus's efforts to prevent wildland fires in the hills, where a four-alarm fire burned 10 acres on Sept. 20.

This grove, on campus property, acts as a natural funnel to direct hot easterly Diablo winds westward and down through the dense chaparral of Claremont Canyon. Within the grove are scattered considerably less fire-prone 30-year-old redwoods and bays, which will not be removed.

WHEN:
10-11:30 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 26.

WHERE:
The main work site is on Grizzly Peak Boulevard, 100-200 yards south of Claremont Avenue. It is visible from the road. Vehicles may park and film. Crews will have been alerted that filming and taking of photographs may take place during this time. Trucks can park on the shoulder; there is lots of cleared space.

WHO:
Tom Klatt, director of emergency planning for the UC Berkeley Police Department, will be available for interviews at the tree removal site. Crews will be clearing eucalyptus during this time.

BACKGROUND:
Though it had been planned for a while, the clearing of eucalyptus at Claremont Canyon has taken on new significance since the Sept. 20 fire on campus property.

UC Berkeley is committed to preventing wildland fires in the hills. In addition to the eucalyptus removal in Claremont Canyon, other programs include student patrols of campus property in the hills, thinning and clearing woody materials in the Panoramic Hill area, and working with local government to collect and disseminate information on East Bay fire hazards.