Most Orinda homeowners say they want to prepare for wildfire. The problem, according to a new city-commissioned study, is that they don't know where to start, can't afford the work or don't believe it matters unless their neighbors act too.

Those findings from the "Voices of Orinda" focus group research will headline the Supplemental Sales Tax Oversight Commission's Wednesday, Aug. 12 meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the Sarge Littlehale Community Room at 22 Orinda Way, according to the meeting agenda. The same agenda includes updates on a $750,000 CAL FIRE grant application and a 200-goat grazing project starting four days later at Oaks Park.

Four types of residents, three barriers

Former commissioner Paula Reinman of Impactful Marketing will present the study, which surveyed 26 homeowners across Orinda neighborhoods in four facilitated sessions in June. The research sorted residents into four preparedness profiles: Curious Beginners who are motivated but don't know how homes ignite or what to do first; Committed Doers who are actively working but hitting cost barriers on harder projects; a Frustrated Vanguard that has done the work and is waiting for the community to catch up; and Capable Skeptics who believe a mass fire event will overwhelm any individual preparation.

Cutting across those groups, the study identified three gaps blocking action: an Information Gap (not knowing what to do or in what order), a Cost and Access Gap (unable to afford or find contractors even when motivated) and a Collective Action Gap (doubting individual effort matters without systemic change).

One finding stood out: the Community Wildfire Safety Ambassador Program home visit was called "the single most transformative first step." Every resident who received one found it useful. Multiple participants also reported having mesh and gutter guards sitting unused because they couldn't find or afford skilled labor to install them.

In a May article in The Orinda News, Reinman framed the challenge in collective terms: "Wildfire is a team sport — 80% of homes in a neighborhood need to have defensible space for any one home to be safe."

$750K grant and 200 goats

The city has submitted a $750,000 CAL FIRE Wildfire Prevention Grant application to continue its Chipper Program and Individual Fuel Reduction Incentive Program and fund additional goat grazing. No award decision has been announced. The city is coordinating with Fire Safe Moraga-Orinda to avoid duplication; FSMO plans to pursue separate CAL FIRE funding for community education and neighborhood grants.

Meanwhile, a herd of approximately 200 goats will return to Oaks Park Open Space on Sunday, Aug. 16 to graze 16.5 acres through Sept. 6. The $25,400 contract represents significant savings; other bids came in at roughly double that amount. A shepherd and temporary fencing will contain the herd.

The Moraga-Orinda Fire District previously conducted a prescribed burn at the same site. A June 8 attempt ended early due to excessive smoke from higher-than-expected moisture, but MOFD completed the burn on July 10.

What's ahead

City staff is also planning an Oct. 29 community screening of the PBS documentary "Weathered: After the LA Firestorm" at the Orinda Theatre, featuring state Sen. Tim Grayson and other wildfire resilience experts.

The commission, chaired by Rachelle Latimer, will also consider forming a subcommittee to investigate software modeling that could evaluate how vegetation reductions in various locations would reduce overall wildfire risk.

Residents can submit written comments by emailing [email protected] by 3 p.m. on Aug. 12 or attend in person.