How to defend your Berkeley home from wildfire
How do you protect your property? What does the law require? What help is available? What if you rent? What do you need to know about fire insurance?
Brian Krans
Brian Krans is an award-winning freelance investigative reporter and audio producer who covers public health — from police violence to the COVID-19 vaccine — in the East Bay. The former senior writer at Healthline.com, his reporting has been featured in The Oaklandside, The Appeal, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Los Angeles Times, California Healthline, KQED, The California Report, The East Bay Express and other outlets. He lives with his wife and dog in East Oakland. He is the author of four books and still jumps off things wearing rollerblades like he’s still in ninth grade. Follow him on Twitter: @citizenkrans.
Articles by Brian
The big picture: Wildfire danger, risk and history in Berkeley
How dangerous are wildfires? What’s the history of wildfires? What activities are dangerous during fire season? What apps can help?
Red Flag and Extreme Fire Weather warnings: What they are and why they matter
Bay Area fire officials and weather experts say getting residents to take the alerts seriously is an ongoing challenge — and has never been so important.
How wildfires affect air quality in the Bay Area and what to do to protect yourself
How do wildfires affect air pollution? How bad is smoke for my health? How do I track air quality and protect myself from smoke?
Berkeley residents now urged to leave the hills when there’s ‘Extreme Fire Weather’
The Berkeley Fire Department will declare “Extreme Fire Weather” due to forecasted high winds and low humidity on the highest-risk Red Flag days.
East Bay’s fire-fighting goats are finishing up their seasonal work
The herds are nearly done with their annual munch-fest, which helps clear dry grass and debris from the East Bay hills.
East Bay health experts worry about delta variant as the vaccination campaign continues
COVID-19 infections are increasing in Berkeley and Alameda County, including in long-term care facilities.
Don’t toss your masks: How to use N95s and other air filters for fire season
In Berkeley and beyond, it’s not too soon to prepare for unhealthy air days.
Alameda County’s new COVID death toll is 25% lower than thought
County health officials reviewed COVID-19 death records and found 411 cases that were “clearly not” caused by the disease.
Pfizer’s vaccine is now approved for kids as young as 12. Here’s what you need to know.
The FDA has given Pfizer emergency authorization so preteens can get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Oakland Coliseum mass vaccination site will close in May
Getting COVID-19 vaccine shots in arms will now mostly fall to community-based groups.
Alameda County resumes using J&J vaccine while addressing lingering concerns
Officials say the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is safe but rebuilding confidence requires time and education.
‘I’m fully vaccinated. Now what?’
From outdoor dining to visiting loved ones, we heard from experts about how people should navigate their newfound immunity.
