Santa Clara County Fire Safe Council and the City of Palo Alto are collaborating to complete an evacuation route clearance project on Page Mill Road, Arastradero Road, and Los Trancos Road, located in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains west of Highway 280. This annual effort enhances fire resistance along the evacuation route by reducing vegetation in the corridor and supports safer travel in emergencies. The Santa Clara County Fire Safe Council works with the City of Palo Alto to coordinate vegetation reduction management projects across jurisdictions between partner agencies and advances the City’s Foothills Fire Management Plan.

Work will take place from May 18, 2026, through June 12, 2026, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Expect travel delays as work crews conduct traffic control for single lane closures.

Work Details

Arastradero Road

This evacuation route project will start at the entrance of the Arastradero Preserve on Arastradero Road and continue for approximately 1.8 miles, ending at the border of Palo Alto and Portola Valley.

Page Mill Road

This segment will start at the boundary of Palo Alto and Los Altos Hills and continue for approximately 5 miles, ending past the Montebello Open Space Preserve parking lot.

Los Trancos Road

This segment will start at the entrance of one of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District gates on Los Trancos Road and continue for approximately 0.7 miles, ending at the border of Palo Alto and Portola Valley.