Update: Oakland residents showed massive support for Measure MM to enhance wildfire resilience and prevent future loss of homes and lives. This measure has passed the 2/3 requirement with over 70% of voters saying yes.
The City of Oakland placed this measure on the ballot to ensure there’s dedicated funding for wildfire prevention. Now that it passed, Measure MM will create a special parcel tax to raise $2,670,000 annually for the next 20 years. Single-family homes would be charged $99 per parcel and $65 per condominium or multi-family unit.
Learn more at www.alamedacountyca.gov/rov_app/measures.
Why It Matters
Oakland had one of the state’s most devastating urban fires in 1991, killing 25 people, injuring 150 more, and incurring in damages of almost $3 billion and a loss of over 3,000 homes.
Now more than ever, the threat of wildfires are increasingly high as climate change impacts are predicted to increase in frequency and severity. Over the last few years, the City of Oakland created a Wildfire Prevention Zone to implement wildfire resilience strategies such as vegetation management, fire patrols, evacuation route protection, and more. Now, the City needs dedicated funding to prevent another tragedy.
Originally published on September 23, 2024.
