As part of a comprehensive effort to minimize the wildfire threat to Berkeley Lab and the surrounding area, the Lab continues to remove wildfire hazards including dead, dying, or otherwise hazardous trees around the hill site.

Contractors began removing trees on Tuesday, Sept. 10, starting around Building 88 and will work in that area through October. 

“Maintaining healthy vegetation at the Lab is an important safety measure for Lab employees and the community due to wildfire risk in the Berkeley and Oakland hills,” said Berkeley Lab Fire Marshal Mike Torkelson. “These vegetation management efforts help secure access for first responders and clear critical exit routes and fire-staging areas in the event of a hillside evacuation.”

Areas around Building 88 may be closed at times during the removal efforts. Foot traffic to the building perimeter should be unaffected, but pedestrians are asked to avoid work areas and obey hazard signs and barriers. 

Many trees slated for removal could become falling hazards and block Lab exits during a wildfire. Trees that are unhealthy or too closely grouped can spread disease to other trees, create greater quantities of leaf litter, and make for more intense fires. Trees are critically important to the Lab’s natural environment; properly managing our trees will protect human lives and the health and durability of our groves. 

These latest efforts are part of the Lab’s ongoing vegetation management program, which includes annual goat grazing, tree maintenance, and regular groundskeeping. The Lab uses proven science to guide decision-making on this project by ranking potential treatment areas to maximize the benefit.