Brent Blackaby

Really enjoyed the discussion about wildfire safety, immigrant rights, Euclid Ave improvements, tenant rights, scooters, and more. Thanks for dinner, and we look forward to visiting again soon!

Thanks to the Berkeley Student Cooperative for hosting @cecilialunaparra.bsky.social and me last night for a “Meet Your Councilmembers” event at Cloyne Court.

We’ve made a lot of progress over the past year on fire safety — and together I know we’ll do even more in the months and years ahead.

I enjoyed joining @jessearreguin.bsky.social @sup-nikkifbas.bsky.social CM Shoshana O'Keefe, fmr CM Susan Wengraf, BFSC President Henry DeNero, Asst Fire Chief Colin Arnold, Richmond CM Soheila Bana, and many other friends & neighbors for this wonderful annual occasion.

Congrats to the Berkeley FireSafe Council for hosting another successful neighborhood potluck yesterday!

Thanks to Dan for hosting your Scenic Ave neighbors and me last night, for a lively discussion about housing, fire safety, downtown revitalization, and other issues facing Berkeley. Look forward to continuing the conversation over the weeks and months ahead!

My team and I enjoyed our walk with Councilmember Shoshana O’Keefe and Bob & Emma from the Berkeley Path Wanderers to discuss plans to upgrade Keeler Path near Remillard Park. Thanks for the tour! (And thanks to Shoshana’s mom for the cookies!)

Thanks to all of the constituents that joined my team and me for our September office hours, held at the Berkeley Rose Garden! It was great to catch up with so many neighbors to hear what’s on their mind and learn more about how we can help. Look forward to the next one!

Enjoyed joining Councilmember Shoshana O’Keefe at Berkeley’s first Sun Day today. Congrats to @kerabinns.bsky.social and the planning team on a wonderful event celebrating clean energy and climate action!

Had a wonderful time at yesterday’s Solano Stroll! Thanks to all the friends, neighbors, and colleagues who marched with us in the parade and stopped by our booth. Always great to celebrate our beautiful community while getting feedback on how to make Berkeley even better!

The shooting of Charlie Kirk is a senseless tragedy. I condemn it wholeheartedly. There should be no place in America for political violence — full stop. *Now* can we talk about guns?

With our indomitable Congresswoman @lateefahsimon.bsky.social this morning. Thanks you for your bold progressive leadership — and for fighting for East Bay families every day in Washington, DC!

How This California City Aims to Avert Another Urban Wildfire Catastrophe In the wake of the Los Angeles fires, Berkeley has moved quickly to require ember-resistant zones for high-risk homes after years of delay by the state.

Thanks to @bloomberg.com for covering the work we’re doing here in Berkeley to protect our community from the wildfire threat. But lots of work still to do! #ZoneZero #EMBER #FiresafeBerkeley

Successful weekend of vegetation cleanup and wildfire preparedness with my Zone Zero assistant. (Look at that big pile of branches ready for Berkeley’s free chipper program!) But lots more work still to do… #ZoneZero #EMBER #wildfiresafety #FireSafeBerkekey

Proud to join my council colleagues in approving bold new Middle Housing zoning standards, which will add gentle housing density in neighborhoods outside fire hazard zones. Together we can make Berkeley better, safer, more affordable, and more welcoming for more families who want to live here!

Final Berkeley vote on strict new wildfire plan expected tonight Update: Berkeley officials unanimously approved EMBER shortly after 11 p.m. following hours of public comment on both sides.

Great news: The Berkeley City Council unanimously approved the Fire Department’s EMBER proposal, along with my amendments to improve it after months of community input. Together, we’re making Berkeley more wildfire resilient and safe — but much more to do!

www.berkeleyscanner.com/2025/06/17/c...

YouTube video by NBC Bay Area Berkeley fire department pushes defensible space proposal

Proud that @berkeleyca.gov and our Fire Department are leading the way on wildfire preparation and resiliency!

My neighbor on tonight’s flight home to SFO. There oughta be a law…

Thanks @buffywicks.bsky.social for coming out to support Berkeley’s proposed EMBER program to improve our wildfire resilience. @adenaishii.bsky.social, Berkeley Fire Chief Sprague and Asst Chief Arnold, and our teams look forward to working with you to make Berkeley and the East Bay fire safe!

No — all are encouraged to apply! Here are eligibility requirements for individual artists:

berkeleyca.gov/sites/defaul...

Calling all artists and nonprofits!

This is heartbreaking. We must do better, period. Our hearts go out to our neighbor and her friends & family. But that’s not nearly enough. Everyone in Berkeley deserves safe streets and sidewalks. It’s on us as public officials to deliver.

As Trump’s ICE ramps up deportations, we must stand strong. I was proud to author Berkeley’s latest Sanctuary resolution, passed by the City Council last Tuesday. Thanks to @adenaishii.bsky.social @cecilialunaparra.bsky.social @taplinterry.bsky.social & colleagues at BUSD and EB Sanctuary Covenant!

Speaking truth to power. Grateful to Bishop Budde for delivering this message eloquently and powerfully. (And extra proud to be an Episcopalian today!)

Wonderful to be in community with friends and neighbors from across Berkeley at this morning’s MLK Day breakfast, a welcome contrast with inaugural events in DC. Together, we recommit to the hard work ahead to move all of Berkeley forward — and defend our progressive values.

Congrats @lateefahsimon.bsky.social on your swearing in! Honored to be there today as you take the baton from @barbaraleeformayor.bsky.social and keep up the fight for all of us in Congress!

Thank you for your leadership, Chief Sprague. The fires in LA should be a wake-up call for all of us. I look forward to continuing to work with you to make Berkeley fire safe. As the councilmember representing the north Berkeley hills, nothing is more important.

Los Angeles fire crews maxed out, assistance comes from outside county and state Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Anthony Marrone said all 29 county fire departments are at "a drawdown, with no fire apparatus or additional personnel to spare."

Proud and grateful that the Berkeley Fire Department has sent 4 firefighters and 1 fire engine to LA as part of a strike team assisting in fighting the Palisades fire. Thank you for your service — and be safe. 🙏

www.cbsnews.com/amp/losangel...

Calling all Berkeley artists and arts nonprofits: Apply for a grant today!

Good morning, Berkeley!