SCC Fire Safe Council Vegetation Clearing
Published on October 02, 2025
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, 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 fire fuel reduction projects across jurisdictions between partner agencies. This work is in alignment with the Foothills Fire Management Plan, which is overseen, coordinated, and funded by the City of Palo Alto.
The upper half of Page Mill (past Foothills Nature Preserve) includes open spaces on either side of the road, which are under different jurisdiction of both the City of Palo Alto and Mid-Peninsula Regional Open Space (MROSD). As result of enhanced collaboration with MROSD, the public should see improved traffic flow and reduced project timelines overall. Through our combined effort and operational efficiencies such as coordinating resources, traffic control, crews, biological monitoring, equipment and supervision, the project will increase wildfire resiliency of the escape route by expanding the treatment area.
When
The SCCFSC is conducting the project from September 30 through October 24, 2025. This timeline serves to address any unexpected delays in project work. This includes disruptions caused by extreme weather, red flag days, or other unforeseen circumstances.
Work will take place on weekdays, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Expect travel delays as work crews will conduct traffic control for single lane closures.
Where
This project will start on Page Mill Road 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.
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