Due to the extreme drought conditions affecting the entire state and in particular the Berkeley Hills area, a University of California, Berkeley Fire Prevention Division Permit is required for all open flame/cooking appliances and fires as stipulated in this policy. This includes any and all electric and fuel (any type) fired appliances or equipment producing open flames.
The Berkeley Hills area has been designated as a Very High Fire Severity Zone by Cal Fire. This is the highest or most dangerous category of fire severity. On August 2, 2017, there was a wildland fire on University property in the Grizzly Peak area. It was a 20 acre fire that was extinguished only because the response from the various fire departments was most impressive. It serves as a reminder as well as a warning that the Berkeley Hills area is of great concern.
Permits for open flame/cooking appliances will NOT be issued inside of the “BBQ Exclusion Zone” shown on the linked map except those areas identified by a star. There are 3 maps, one showing the entire the “BBQ Exclusion Zone,” one close up of Memorial Stadium area, and one specifically for the Clark Kerr Campus. The permit form is available here.
Permits will be issued for 4 hours prior to the football game through the duration of the football game ONLY. Any violation of the permit requirements will result in revocation of the permit and the immediate cessation of the heat producing appliance.
Tailgate parties are allowed in the “BBQ Exclusion Zone” provide there are NO heat producing appliances or fuel fired equipment and no open flames.
Electric food warmers (NOT electric cooking or open flame appliances) will be allowed without permit ONLY in the areas designated by the Star on the map.
Authorization for this Permit Policy is California Code of regulations, Title 24, Part 9, California Fire Code Sections 308.1.6 and 308.2.
Amy Chen
Campus Fire Marshal
University of California, Berkeley
awchen@berkeley.edu
Important Note
For this particular permit, email permit applications to Fireprevention@berkeley.edu
If you have a UC Berkeley email account you can submit for a Permit on the EH&S website at Home | Office of Environment, Health & Safety (berkeley.edu). Click on Event Permit
