The Elena – Fremont Evacuation Route Project in Los Altos Hills, California, provides an important route of egress route for a significant portion of the Western area of the Los Altos Hills Community in the event of a wildfire evacuation. To secure the integrity of this route, Los Altos Hills County Fire District and Santa Clara County FireSafe Council propose a roadside treatment of hazardous fuels.

 

Project Dates:

  • Start Date: Monday, April 29, 2024
  • Projected Completion: Friday, May 3, 2024

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Project site:

This evacuation route project will treat five roads along the evacuation Route. These include Elena Road, La Barranca  Road, Purissima Road, Concepcion Road and Fremont Road.
  • Elena Road portion will begin at the intersection of Elena Road and Natoma Road and end at the intersection of Elena Road and La Barranca Road.
  • La Barranca Road portion will begin at the previous Elena Road intersection and end at Purissima Road.
  • Purissima Road will begin at the previous La Barranca Road intersection and end at the intersection with Concepcion Road.
  • Concepcion Road, from Purissima Road to the intersection with Fremont Road at the entrance to the Los Altos Hill Town Hall.
  • Fremont Road from Town Hall to the intersection with West Edith Avenuet.

The length of the project is approximately:

  • The Elena Road section is 1.14 miles to treat both sides of the roadway.
  • La Barranca Road is 0.80 miles to treat both sides of the roadway.
  • The included section of Purissima Road is 0.22 miles to treat both sides of the roadway.
  • Concepcion Road, from where it begins at Purissima Road, to Fremont Road is 1.75 miles to treat both sides of the roadway.
  • Fremont Road from Town Hall to W. Edith Avenue is 1.56 miles to treat both sides of the roadway.

The total treatment of the project is approximately 5.47 miles of roadway shoulder treatment when accounting for both sides of the route.

Goals for this project:

The immediate goal of this project is to make the roadway a safer evacuation route in an emergency or wildfire. The broader goals are to enhance fire resiliency by reducing ladder fuels and invasive plant species, and to improve roadside hardening along evacuation routes, which are significant benefits to the community and make District residents safer. This project enhances regional efforts to improve Santa Clara County’s evacuation route and shaded fuel break system. It also provides opportunities to protect or manage watersheds from future wildfires. Additionally, by reducing competition for light and water in the understory plants, shrubs, and young trees, and by treating hazardous trees when feasible, this creates a healthier forest and woodland for the benefit of the environment.

Submission Instructions – Ways to confirm your participation:

Participation is voluntary; please follow the steps below to join this project.

  1. Fill out, sign, and submit the enclosed Right of Entry Permit (ROE) by April 22nd.
    • Complete, sign, and mail the paper copy of the ROE, using the self-addressed, stamped envelope, also enclosed to:
      Santa Clara County FireSafe Council
      Attn: Black – Purissima       Evacuation Route
      14380 Saratoga Avenue
      Saratoga, CA 95070-5953

OR

OR

    • Download an electronic copy of the ROE, sign via certified electronic signature, which includes time and date stamp, and return via email to zortiz@sccfiresafe.org
  2. If you request, a representative will be available to meet with you at a mutually convenient time to identify and explain the removal of the brush, grasses, tree limbs, and vegetation hazards on your property.
  3. You will be notified when project work will begin in the vicinity of your property.
  4. Check www.lahcfd.org for Project description and updates.