==The last days have been trying as we deal with extreme heat, red flag warnings, and the threat of rolling black-outs. This newsletter will focus on efforts you can take to keep yourself and your loved ones out of harm's way. Since the pandemic has turned our lives upside down, my focus has been on keeping you all safe and healthy. Now with the added threat of fire season, we must be extra vigilant.

==Given the sense of isolation that we are all experiencing due to COVID-19, I am offering to meet with you and your neighbors via Zoom. If you can pull together a dozen or so neighbors who would like to hear about what the City is doing about the pandemic, or how we balanced our budget, or the plans we have to re-imagine policing in Berkeley, please call my office at 510 981-7160 to schedule a time. This is not a replacement for in person neighborhood meetings, but it is the best we can do, for now.

==The National Weather Service has extended the Red Flag Warning for the Berkeley hills until 11am Monday, August 17.

==The City of Berkeley will be taking the following actions in response:

==If you have not received an alert via text or email or mobile phone, please sign up for both AC Alert and Nixle now.

==There were problems with the delivery of the email about the Red Flag Warning that I sent out yesterday, and not everyone received it. I am including the information again here:

==Now is the time to create a go-bag or refresh the one you already have. Here are my suggestions for what to include. These recommendations are based on research and consultation with emergency preparedness experts. That said, feel free to customize these ideas to your own personal needs.

==Put these items in a backpack or duffel bag with a shoulder strap.

==Keep your Go-Bag(s) in an easily accessed location - an entry-hall closet or a garage.

==You could also keep them outside your home in a waterproof box or trash can with a strapped lid.

==Make sure each bag has a tag with your name and address.

==It is also a good idea to have emergency Go-Bags in your vehicle and at work.

==Remember that you may be walking or running with this bag, so do not make it too heavy.

==If you assemble your go-bag this week, you will be one step closer to being prepared to evacuate in the event of a threatening wildfire or other disaster.

==The advice of the Fire Department is: DO NOT WEAR AN N95 MASK WHEN EVACUATING. WEAR A BANDANA.

==You can wear the N95 after you have evacuated when smoke particulates are polluting the air, but wearing an N95 when you are either walking fast or running is not recommended.

==PG&E claims that it may be necessary to turn off your electricity to keep you safe from the risk of wildfire during extreme weather events. This is called a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). They promise to provide notifications two days in advance, then one day in advance, and right before they turn off your power. You will be notified through calls, texts and emails. I will also try to notify you in a timely way.

==Factors that PG&E considers when they are making their decision:

==You can find out more here.

==When you get notification, use that time to prepare for being without power. Ask yourself these questions:

==It is not too late to take action and weed your yards, clean gutters, and trim up your tree limbs.

==The Debris Bin and Chipper Program will make a second pass starting the week of July 27th. The chipper schedule and instructions are below (pdf available here).

==Please schedule your gardening and landscaping activities so that you can take advantage of this program 

==AC Alert will be Berkeley's primary emergency alerting system for the public. It is one of the tools the City of Berkeley uses to communicate emergency information and instructions to the community. AC Alert can send:

   Listed AT&T "land lines" are automatically included to receive voice messages from AC Alert for emergency warnings. Community members must sign up to receive voice or text alerts on cell phones, VoIP phones, unlisted phones, TTY/TDDs or through email.

   If you want to receive emergency alerts and updates, sign up for AC Alert.