Shortly after 2 p.m. on Friday last week, people all over Berkeley suddenly caught the sharp scent of smoke in the air. Many opened their front doors and stepped outside to see if, perhaps, something in their neighborhood was burning.
Then, many turned to Berkeleyside. Our email inbox and Twitter feed began buzzing: ‘Where’s the fire? What’s that smoke?” people asked.
Senior reporter Emilie Raguso was already on the phone to Berkeley Fire Chief Gil Dong when the questions began to land. Within minutes she had posted the answer on Twitter and Facebook. At 2:30 p.m we published the story: “Solano County smoke blankets Berkeley with smoke.” A change in wind direction was causing pungent smoke from a large grass fire near state Highway 12 in the Suisun City area to settle over the East Bay. Instantly, more than 1,600 people were there, reading the article, and huge numbers of others followed.
We continued to update the story over the next several hours, bringing you news that a smoke advisory was about to be issued before it was, and providing details on what health precautions before the city sent out its emergency notification email.
Berkeleyside was the first and, for some time, the only readily available local media outlet reporting on the smoke and its risks.
Our reporting was facilitated by our excellent relationship with the Berkeley Fire Department, and by our hugely responsive readers, many of whom told us what they were experiencing and sent us photographs of the incident (like the one above, by Daniel He).
Once people felt reassured — this is, after all, a place where memories of the deadly 1991 Firestorm are still vivid — we were inundated with notes of gratitude.
Here are just some of the dozens of comments we received:
“Berkeleyside rocks! I couldn’t find anything on the internet but you have the latest info regarding the possible fire. You also had the best info regarding the berkeley Tuolumne camp fire. You are providing a great service to the community.” CMM
“Thanks so much for the quick reporting as you are so far the only source of info I can find on the alarming amount of smoke in our area. Thanks!!” Cathryn
“I thought my apartment was on fire smoke was so bad (Univ and San Pablo area). Thank you so much! Berkeleyside is the best fastest report always!” Miscellaneous
“Just went outside and rushed right back in to check Berkeleyside. Thanks for staying on top of this one.” Berkeley Walker
“This is the best coverage I’ve found…Thank you, Berkeleyside, for clear explanation of Fairfield/Suisun City fire and its impact.” Janet White
“Thank you for keeping us up to date. I was getting very worried.” C Echeverria
“Berkeleyside it’s like you know what I’m gonna ask before I even ask it. Thanks for the great work you do.” Nicole Freeling
At Berkeleyside, we pride ourselves on covering a wide range of topics, but, of course, public safety is one of the most important ones. Our reporting on the smoke and its potentially harmful effects is just one example of the type of reporting we provide to Berkeleyans every day.
On Sunday night we swiftly brought you details of the magnitude 3 earthquake that rattled the city at 9:26 p.m
Such reporting requires resources, and advertising revenues alone cannot sustain a news site. If you appreciate the articles you read for free on Berkeleyside, please consider supporting us by becoming a Berkeleyside Member (at $25, $10 or $5 a month level).
There’s an added incentive! If you become a Member before the end of this week (Friday Oct. 11), you will be invited to the annual Berkeleyside Members’ Party which, this year, takes place at the Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive as part of Uncharted, The Berkeley Festival of Ideas (tickets for which can be bought here). There, you will be treated to fine wines, locally brewed beer, delicious appetizers, and live music from Cuban band Pellejo Seco in the museum’s gorgeous atrium and on its deck.
Visit Support Berkeleyside to become a Member now.
To those of you who already give us your support and help sustain independent local news — thank you!
Got your tickets to Berkeleyside’s Uncharted: The Berkeley Festival of Ideas yet? It’s on October 25-26. Register on the Uncharted website.
