Page Mill Road will have roadside work done in the public right of way to reduce the amount of hazardous fire vegetation, such as brush, grasses, tree limbs, and dead, dying, and diseased vegetation. Approximately 50 feet from the centerline of the road, will be cleaned up and trimmed, but not cleared. Leaf litter, brush, lower limbs of trees (“ladder fuels”), and dead or down trees will be removed. The result will be a roadside buffer with reduced broom and grasses, which are highly flammable types of vegetation. Tall shade trees known as “overstory trees” will remain to provide shade and keep the area cool, which helps prevent fire from spreading quickly. Hazardous trees that are leaning or could fall into the roadway will be assessed for removal.

Project Dates:

  • Deadline to turn in ROE – April 7, 2023
  • Start Date – May 31, 2023

 

Media Release:

Traffic Information

Traffic control will be in place for the duration of the Page Mill Road Evacuation Route. One lane will be operational, and one lane will close for vegetation management work.

Initially working on the north side of Page Mill Road and conclude with the south side of Page Mill Road. The project is scheduled for May 31, 2023 to June 9, 2023. Work will occur Mondays through Fridays, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, and is dependent on weather conditions and holidays.

Project site:
Page Mill Rd in Los Altos Hills, starting at the intersection of Arastradero Rd and Page Mill Rd and heading southwest towards Foothills Nature Preserve where the project will conclude at the park entrance. The length of road in the project area is 3 miles heading southwest on Page Mill Rd and 3.5 miles heading northeast on Page Mill Rd. Therefore, the total treatment will be 6.5 miles for both sides of the road.

Project Goals:
The immediate goal is to remove the roadside hazardous vegetation that could fall and block the roadway in the event of a wildfire or would make the roadway extremely hot and unsafe to travel. The broader goal is to enhance fire resiliency by reducing ladder fuels, creating shaded fuel breaks, reducing invasive plant species, and to improve evacuation routes, all of which makes Los Altos Hills residents safer. This project will also increase Santa Clara County’s developing shaded fuel break system and provide opportunities to protect or manage watersheds from future wildfires. Additionally, reducing competition for light and water in the understory plants, shrubs and young trees and treating hazardous trees where feasible will create a healthier and more vigorous forest and woodland.

Agency partnership for wildfire safety:
The Santa Clara County FireSafe Council (SCCFSC) in cooperation with Los Altos Hills County Fire District, Town of Los Altos Hills, Santa Clara County Fire Department, and County Roads and Airports will be working on the Page Mill Road Project. SCCFSC is the project manager and is leading this cooperative wildfire public safety effort.

In order to increase the effectiveness of the evacuation route and to complete the work, we need community participation. To have the brush cleared along your parcel please fill out, sign, and submit the the Right of Entry Permit (ROE) no later than March 31, 2023.

Participation is voluntary; please follow the submission instructions below for ways to join and confirm your participation to this project.

  1. Download and complete an electronic copy of the ROE,
  2. Download, complete an electronic copy of the ROE, and print completed ROE
  3. Download, complete an electronic copy of the ROE, and print completed ROE
    • sign via pen & ink (wet) signature, AND
    • mail a paper copy of the ROE, enclosed to:
      Santa Clara County FireSafe Council
      14380 Saratoga Avenue
      Saratoga, CA 95070-5953
      Attn: Page Mill Rd ER Project