To: Board of Directors
From: Lewis Broschard, Chief, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District
Report Title: Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) BAY REPAIR Grant - East Richmond Heights Shaded Fuel Break
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Fire Chief, or designee, to apply for and accept funding from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s BAY REPAIR Grant Program, in an amount not to exceed $3,000,000, for the East Richmond Heights Shaded Fuel Break Project.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The grant application request will not exceed $3,000,000. The BAY REPAIR Grant Program does not require a local match; however, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District staff time and resources may be identified as in-kind contributions. No additional General Fund impact is anticipated.
BACKGROUND:
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s BAY REPAIR Grant Program supports projects that improve air quality, public health, and climate resilience by reducing emissions and mitigating wildfire risk.
The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (District) proposes the East Richmond Heights Shaded Fuel Break Project (Project), which will establish a strategically located shaded fuel break across approximately 57 acres in and around the communities of East Richmond Heights, Villa Mira Vista, and Hasford Heights. The Project is located within a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone and is designed to reduce hazardous fuel loading while preserving mature tree canopy.
The Project will reduce wildfire intensity and spread potential by removing ladder fuels and excess vegetation, improving defensible space, and enhancing firefighter access. Implementation methods will include a combination of goat grazing, hand crews, chipping, and mechanized equipment, consistent with best practices to minimize soil disturbance and maintain ecological integrity.
This grant will also fund the District's acquisition and deployment of specialized equipment to support fuels mitigation activities while minimizing air quality impacts. This includes a tracked (Trax) chipper capable of accessing steep, difficult terrain, allowing for efficient on-site processing of woody material, and air curtain burners (air burners) designed to significantly reduce smoke emissions and particulate matter compared to traditional open-pile burning. These technologies will enable the District to conduct fuel reduction work in a manner that aligns with regional air quality goals by reducing haul trips, limiting open burning, and improving combustion efficiency.
This Project provides regional benefits, as wildfire risk extends across jurisdictional boundaries. The communities of Richmond, El Cerrito, San Pablo, El Sobrante, and unincorporated Contra Costa County will all benefit from reduced wildfire risk, improved evacuation safety, and decreased exposure to harmful smoke and air pollutants. As outlined in the Richmond Fire Department’s letter of partnership, the Project aligns with regional priorities to improve public health outcomes and reduce particulate matter exposure associated with wildfire events.
Expected outcomes include:
• Reduction of hazardous vegetation and available fuel for combustion
• Decreased likelihood of high-intensity wildfire and structure ignition
• Improved defensible space effectiveness for surrounding communities
• Reduced greenhouse gas and particulate emissions from wildfire and structure loss
• Utilization of low-emission fuel reduction equipment to further protect air quality
• Enhanced regional wildfire resilience and public safety
Upon award, the District will initiate community outreach and stakeholder engagement, coordinate with project partners, and procure necessary services and equipment to implement the Project. All work will be completed within the grant performance period.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If this action is not approved, the District will not be able to pursue BAY REPAIR grant funding and will need to find another funding source for this high-priority wildfire prevention and air quality improvement project.