The Associated Press

December 10, 2009
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OAKLAND —
Federal grants for wildfire control efforts in the Oakland hills are being delayed for further environmental review.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency had awarded highly competitive grants of more than $5 million to Oakland, the University of California, Berkeley and the East Bay Regional Park District for costly removal of eucalyptus, pine and acacia trees.

But FEMA officials now must pay for a new study that could take two years to complete. The study was spurred by a group questioning the environmental impact of cutting down so many trees.

The area was the scene of devastating fires in 1991 that killed more than 25 people and destroyed more than 3,500 homes.

Barry Pilger, who lost his house in 1991, says the delays are allowing fuel loads in the volatile area to increase, endangering life and property.