The Oakland Fire Department limited wildfire vegetation inspections to public property after firefighters reported attacks and intimidation

OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland Fire Department has changed its wildfire prevention inspection procedures after firefighters reported attacks and intimidation in the Oakland Hills, KGO reported.

Under the new policy, crews will inspect vegetation on public property and will no longer enter private property, according to department letters sent to employees and the city administrator.

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“Our firefighters are doing the inspections from the public right-of-way only. Not accessing the public’s private property,” union president Seth Olyer said. “On July 4th, we had a firefighter who, unfortunately, was attacked by multiple dogs.”

The policy change follows what the department described as a series of attacks and intimidation incidents targeting firefighters. Officials said about 80% of this year’s vegetation inspections had already been completed before the new rules took effect.

The change drew criticism from some Oakland Hills residents, who said they worry limiting inspections to public property could increase wildfire risk.

The department said it is exploring alternatives, including drones and artificial intelligence, to conduct future inspections. Some residents, however, said they would rather firefighters continue inspecting properties in person.

The firefighter injured in the July 4 dog attack has fully recovered, according to the department.

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