PREPARED BY: Wendy Wood
Town Clerk
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 5/20/2025
ITEM NO: vi.
ADDENDUM
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
May 19, 2025
Mayor and Town Council
Chris Constantin, Town Manager
Introduction of New Emergency Manager and Fire Update
REMARKS:
Attachment 1 contains Council Member Communication.
Attachments:
1. Council Member Communication
From: Matthew Hudes <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2025 4:40:17 PM
To: Chris Constantin <[email protected]>; Katy Nomura <[email protected]> Subject: Desk Item
Hi Town Manager and Assistant Town Manager,
Could you please include this report as a desk item for the Emergency Management update item (I think it is the first public hearing item on the agenda).
Thanks so much,
Matthew
Wildfire Advisory Group
Report
May 9, 2025
Subject:
Wildfire Preparation and Prevention
for the Town of Los Gatos
Prepared by
Wildfire Advisory Group
1 Introduction
The Town of Los Gatos is a community at risk from wildfire. Approximately 25% of all homes— more than 3,100—are located within a wildland urban interface (WUI). Wildfire occurs in the vicinity of Los Gatos and presents a danger to people and properties within the Town. The Town of Los Gatos considers wildfire mitigation to be a top-tier priority for the safety of its citizens and an economic imperative.
The Town turned its focus to wildfire in a significant way in 2020. Recognizing this magnitude of the risk, the Town Council authorized the formation of an Ad Hoc Committee in the fall of 2020. The first recommendation to be implemented was fuel reduction along the Town’s 31 miles of public roadways in the WUI and defensible space. Millions have been spent or secured for this purpose. While we have made progress, much more effort remains.
In March 2025, Mayor Matthew Hudes formed a citizen Wildfire Advisory Group. The mission of this group is to provide advice and guidance to the Mayor on critical wildfire initiatives, their relative priority, and cost estimates for development and implementation. This report, the culmination of the group’s efforts, recommends next steps in the Town’s journey to make our community more wildfire resilient—that is, able to withstand and recover from a major fire.
The members of the Wildfire Advisory Group are:
Name Representing Title/Role
Matthew Hudes Los Gatos Mayor
Mary Badame Los Gatos Council Member
Joe Pirzynski Los Gatos Former Mayor
Jason Krings Los Gatos Firewise Community Member
Brad Gordon Los Gatos Red Cross
Rhonda Raider Los Gatos Firewise Community Member
Peter Hertan Los Gatos Firewise Community Member, CERT
Rob Stump Los Gatos Firewise Community Member, Group Leader Dennis Lollie Santa Clara County
Fire Department
Fire Department Representative
Chuck Page Saratoga Vice Mayor
Evert Wolsheimer Monte Sereno Council Member
The members participating in this group are speaking for themselves and not on behalf of any governmental body or agency on which they serve.
2 Executive Summary
This report provides wildfire preparation and prevention recommendations to the Town Manager, Town Council, and the newly appointed Emergency Manager. The recommendations appear in priority order based on two questions: Will the action save lives? Will it protect property? The Wildfire Advisory Group strongly believes the recommended actions in the following table should be implemented within two years.
Key Initiatives Recommended Actions – Within 2
Years
Projected
Funding
Requirement
Emergency Communications
Goal: All residents must receive
emergency communication in a
timely manner.
1. Install an emergency broadcast
communications system for the WUI
2. Deploy mobile surveillance kits
(vehicle / drone mounted cameras)
3. Add 5 CERT Incident Command Posts
(ICPs)
Upgrade 2 CERT ICPs
4. Increase community participation in
use of apps: AlertSCC and Watch
Duty
$1,500,000
$200,000
$90,000
$16,000
See last row of
table: Education &
Outreach
Evacuation
Goal: Create and maintain
conditions necessary for safe,
efficient, and effective
evacuations
1. Create an evacuation simulation
program for Los Gatos/Monte
Sereno.
2. Develop a comprehensive evacuation
plan for Los Gatos/Monte Sereno
that complies with SB 99, ABs 747 &
1409.
3. Upgrade key WUI evacuation routes
that do not meet the 20’ clear width
requirement
$35,000
$150,000
$1,000,000
Fuel Reduction / Vegetation
Management (Town)
Goal: Maintain vegetation along
roadways in the WUI (31 miles) to
achieve mandated clearance of
20 ft horizontally and 13.5 feet
vertically, and clearance of nonfire-resistant vegetation within 10 feet of the roadsides. WUI
Roadways and Open Spaces are
on a 6-year management cycle.
1. Continue roadside fuel reduction on
roadways throughout the WUI.
Establish a 6-year management
cycle.
2. Continue regular maintenance of Los
Gatos Open Spaces (three locations)
and parks. Establish a 6-year
management cycle.
3. Implement weed abatement on WUI
roadways. 2x during wildfire season.
4. Remove Eucalyptus trees from Town
roadways and open space.
$390,000/year
$100,000/year
$620,000/year
Included to some
degree in roadside
and open space
work
3 Defensible Space / Home
Hardening
Goal: Increase participation in
established programs like
Firewise to ensure that all private
property owners are maintaining
mandated defensible space and
implementing home hardening
measures.
1. Promote and expand Firewise
Communities throughout the WUI,
emphasizing defensible space.
2. Through Firewise Communities,
educate and promote the highest
value and cost-effective home
hardening measures. Provide
financial assistance to vulnerable
community members.
3. Increase the frequency and number
of defensible space inspections
through SCCFD and the SCC
FireSafe Council (Home Ignition
Zone Assessments).
See item 2,
Education &
Outreach
See item 2,
Education &
Outreach
See item 2,
Education &
Outreach
Education and Outreach
Education Goal: To ensure
residents in fire hazard zones are
well-informed and prepared for
wildfire risks, and to promote
proactive measures to prevent
wildfires.
Outreach Goal: To enhance
community engagement and
motivate residents to action in
implementing wildfire preparation
and prevention measures.
1. Create an Emergency Preparedness
Communication Plan
2. Update the Town of Los Gatos
Emergency Preparedness web
pages. Refer residents to existing
resources and upcoming events as
listed in the Appendix.
3. Promote creation of Firewise
communities for education and
grassroots action e.g., Home Ignition
Zone Assessments through SCC
FireSafe Council.
4. Encourage residents to install apps
used for emergency communications.
$7,500
$5,000
$5,000
$2,500
Funding Sources
The Town cannot fund these initiatives on its own. Other funding mechanisms will need to be explored and implemented so that wildfire preparedness and prevention is not subject to funding swings associated with grants and/or the Town’s ability to fund initiatives via its general fund and capital improvement program. The funding projections only capture costs borne by the Town. See Appendix A for 2-year and 20-year funding requirements. 4 Success Metrics
Following are recommended metrics and targets for the key actions. The targets shown as tobe-determined (TBD) will be set in the implementation plan developed by the Emergency Manager and other Town leaders.
Key Action Metrics to Consider Target
Emergency
Communication
• % of residents opted in to AlertSCC
• # of hours of mobile surveillance use
• # of CERT ICPs added and/or upgraded
• TBD
• TBD
• TBD
Evacuation • Time to Evacuate
• Number of residents participating in
evacuation drills per year
• Percentage of LG evacuation routes in
compliance with 20 feet of clear width
• Percentage of identified WUI roadway
improvement projects completed
• TBD
• TBD
• 100% in 5 yrs
• 100%
Fuel Reduction and
Vegetation
Management (Town)
• % of roadside fuel reduction (31 miles)
completed on 6-year cycle
• % of weed abatement (31 miles)
completed (2x/year)
• % of open space completed on 6-year
cycle
• 100%
• 100%
• 100%
Defensible Space /
Home Hardening
• # of homeowners completing Home
Ignition Zone Assessments annually
• # of Firewise communities and # of
households in those communities
• % of WUI homes/properties in
compliance with Defensible Space
• TBD
• +15 Firewise/Yr
+525 Homes/Yr
• 95% in 5 yrs
Education & Outreach • # of Emergency Preparedness page views
• # of LG residents attending educational
programs
• # of social media posts
• TBD
• TBD
• TBD
Barriers to Success
• Funding is a limited resource and must go beyond grants and Town generated funding. • Staffing is a limited resource whether it is paid or volunteer. • Complacency “it won’t happen here” mindset.
• Feedback from residents concerned about the substantial change in the natural environment as vegetation is removed.
• Collaboration required between neighboring communities since wildfires do not know municipal boundaries.
• Concern from residents about the cost of improving their private property. 5 Looking Back, Looking Ahead
Since 2020 the Town has taken the following actions to reduce the threat of wildfire:
• Reducing roadside fuel on public roadways and in Town open spaces. • Educating residents on defensible space through funding of a Wildland Fire Specialist and Fuels crew at Santa Clara County Fire Department for regional benefit. • Hiring an Emergency Manager.
• Allocating $1 million for emergency initiatives such as wildfire.
Now is time to accelerate progress in implementing initiatives that will save lives and protect property. Memories are fresh, including catastrophic losses in Paradise in 2018, and 29 deaths and an estimated $250 billion in property damage in Los Angeles in 2025.
The recommended 2-year actions in this report will make the Town of Los Gatos better prepared should wildfire strike our community.
6 APPENDICES
7 Appendix A: Funding Summary
Initiative
CY 2025-2026 CY 2027-2044
One-Time
Cost
(Years 1-2)
Annual
Cost
Total Cost
2 Years
One-Time
Cost
(Years 3+)
Total Cost
(20 Years)
1. Emergency Communications $1,806,000 $40,000 $1,846,000 $0 $2,566,000
2. Evacuation Plan and Routes $1,185,000 $0 $1,185,000 $9,000,000 $10,185,000
3. Fuel Reduction/Veg Management $0 $1,110,000 $2,220,000 $5,000,000 $22,200,000
4. Defensible Space/Home Hardening $0 $100,000 $200,000 $0 $2,000,000
5. Education and Outreach $7,500 $12,500 $32,500 $0 $257,500
6. Other Infrastructure Projects $0 $0 $0 $6,000,000 $6,000,000 Totals $2,998,500 $1,262,500 $5,483,500 $20,000,000 $43,208,500 Average Annual Investment $2,160,425
Detailed Descriptions
1. Emergency Communications
a. Emergency Broadcast System = $1.5 million (one-time) + $40,000/year maintenance beginning year 2.
b. Mobile Surveillance Kits = 20 kits x $10,000/kit = $200,000. c. Add/upgrade CERT Incident Command Posts (ICPs).
1) Add 5 ICPs x $18,000 = $90,000 (one-time).
2) Upgrade 2 ICPs x $8,000 = $16,000 (one-time).
2. Evacuation Plan and Routes
a. Evacuation Simulation = $35,000 (one-time).
b. Evacuation Plan development = $150,000 (one-time).
c. Roadway Improvements, 20 feet of clear width = $1,000,000 within 2 years and $9,000,000. within years 3 through TBD.
3. Fuel Reduction / Vegetation Management
a. Roadside Fuel Reduction, 6-year management cycle $75,000/mile x 5.2 miles = $390,000/year. b. Weed Abatement, 2 passes/year $10,000/mile x 62 miles = $620,000/year. c. Open Spaces/Parks Maintenance = $100,000/year.
4. Defensible Space / Home Hardening
a. Grant Program, vulnerable residents = $100,000/year.
5. Education and Outreach: Emergency Preparedness
a. Communication Plan = $7,500 (one-time).
b. Website Updating = $5,000/year.
c. Firewise and Emergency App Promotion = $7,500/year.
6. Other Infrastructure Projects
a. Mainline Water Service, extend to all hillside locations without "city" service. Assumes 3 projects at $2 million/project. Project timing is not defined but sooner is recommended. * None of the annual costs include an inflation factor—e.g., 3.0-3.5%/year. 8 Appendix B: Detailed Key Initiative Reports
Emergency Communications
Background
The challenge in a declared wildfire emergency is keeping all residents and visitors to the town of Los Gatos informed about approaching wildfire threats, the status of existing fires (including the course of burn) and what the public can do to protect themselves and their property. Those challenges include informing the public to know what communication channels the government will be using to inform them and educating the public to know how and where to access those channels.
While channels are needed for mass communication from government to the public, there also needs to be a means for the public to reach government to seek help as well as to provide fire status information at readily accessible locations when usual channels are unavailable.
Importance
Effective communication during an emergency is essential to prevent loss of life and major damage to property. Communication is a tactical necessity between the town government, first responders, and the public as well as from the public to those who can deliver emergency services as available.
Actions
Communication systems the Town should utilize (including those already adopted) are grouped as follows:
Priority 1 – Public Mass Communication (within 2 years)
1. Local Emergency Broadcast System: install a system such as the Genasys Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) to add another level of local communication. This system, locally controlled, allows customized broadcast messages through a network of speakers. Information and verbal commands can be broadcast.
2. AlertSCC: Continue promotion to increase participation in AlertSCC to communicate relevant information via SMS text messages, email, and phone calls (including voicemail).
3. Priority Mass Communication Initiatives requiring further consideration. a. FEMA/FCC Emergency Alert System (EAS): Non-commercial FM radio stations (KJLV 95.3, KPCR 92.9) broadcast over the air from within Los Gatos. These stations can reach all FM receivers within the Los Gatos metropolitan area. This is not yet being utilized. b. KCAT TV: Emergency broadcast capability is not yet being utilized. c. “911 Access:” 911 service may be impacted in a significant event. Public requests for urgent help can be routed through ham radio devices when normal communication channels are unavailable to the public. CERT staffed ICPs and Fire Stations can help to fill the gap. This is partially utilized now but needs build-out to all CERT neighborhoods and the four SCCFD within Los Gatos.
9 Priority 1 – Town of Los Gatos Emergency Operations (within 2 years)
1. Mobile Surveillance: Deploy 20 mobile surveillance kits that contain either vehicle mounted pan, tilt, zoom (PTZ) cameras with interface to existing vehicle communication systems or drone mounted cameras with interface to public safety communications equipment used by first responders (Town and Santa Clara County Fire Department).
2. CERT Incident Command Posts (ICPs): Five additional ICPs are needed to achieve the goal of every resident within 1 mile of an ICP. Physical and equipment upgrades are needed for two ICP locations.
3. Priority Emergency Operations Initiatives related to CERT requiring further consideration by the Town. Items are in no particular order.
a. Status Displays: Install at each CERT ICP. Can be readily implemented. b. Direct Contact with Emergency Operations Center (EOC): Trained CERT, and DART can have direct contact with the EOC upon activation. Contact mechanisms include: GMRS, ham radio, and text/email messaging using unlicensed (FCC Part 15, 900 MHz digital radio). This is actively being utilized, with the text messaging in pilot testing. c. Contact with Field ICPs: Trained personnel having contact with field ICPs, both CERT and DART. Mechanisms include ham radio, GMRS, and text/email messaging using FCC Part 90 Public Safety authorized/ licensed radio, and an Emergency Information Management System (such as VEOCI). This is actively being utilized or piloted except for the use of an Emergency Information Management System, such as VEOCI.
d. Deploy VEOCI for Emergency Information Management
e. Within the EOC
f. Within the CERT trailer (alternate EOC Comms)
g. Within ICPs
Estimated Costs
• Public Mass Communication:
- AlertSCC (SCC) – promotional cost only
- Genasys LRAD – $1,500,000
- Fire Cameras - $200,000-$250,000 (4 or 5 cameras)
- EAS via (KJLV 95.3 and KPCR 92.9) – $5,000
- KCAT (Cable TV15, & Internet) – $5,000
- Status displays – $500 per location, 20 locations
• 911 Access – $1000 per location (20 locations)
• Upgrade existing ICPs – $8,000/ICP
• Additional ICPs – $18,000/ICP
• VEOCI (Emergency Information Management) – cost will be borne by SCC OEM Obstacles/Challenges
• Funding
• Decision and purchase process for a Local Emergency Broadcast System e.g., Genasys LRAD • Updating the town Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) to adopt recommended mechanisms, including defining operational responsibilities
• Administration of training and drills to maintain skills • Recruiting sufficient volunteers to train and staff all ICPs 10 Measures of Success
• % of residents opted in to AlertSCC
• # of hours of mobile surveillance use
• # of CERT ICPs added or upgraded
• Successful demonstration of skills and equipment during periodic drills/exercises both intraTown, as well as County-wide. • Number of CERT trained volunteers
• Number of volunteers with FCC ham radio licenses
• Number of 911 Access locations staffed and equipped at Fire Stations • Utilization & participation statistics (for both drills & actual emergency deployment) Glossary
CERT: Community Emergency Response Teams
DART: Disaster Aid Response Team
EAS: Emergency Alert System
EOP: Emergency Operations Plan
FCC: Federal Communication Commission
FEMA: Federal Emergency Management Agency
FM: Frequency Modulation
GMRS: General Mobil Radio Service
ICP: Incident Command Post
LRAD: Long Range Acoustic Device
SCC: Santa Clara County
SMS: Short Messaging Service
References
• Los Gatos Town Emergency Operations Plan
• LG CERT Neighborhood Map: https://www.losgatosca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2036/CERTMap?bidId= • Location of LG CERT Incident Command Posts (ICPs): Communication Initiatives - Ad Hoc_Annex 9-CWPP.docx
11 Evacuation
Background
An effective wildfire evacuation plan serves as a critical component of community resilience, ensuring that residents, emergency responders, and local authorities are prepared to act swiftly in the event of a wildfire emergency. A comprehensive plan outlines evacuation routes, communication protocols, roles and responsibilities, and provisions for vulnerable populations. It also includes coordination with law enforcement, fire agencies, transportation departments, and public health officials to ensure a unified response. Los Gatos does not have a formal wildfire evacuation plan in place and is not in compliance with California State laws including SB 99, AB 747, and AB 1409 that ensure cities meet legal standards.
Importance
A well developed and executed evacuation plan will save lives. This must be a top priority for Los Gatos. A comprehensive evacuation plan: 1) significantly enhances public safety by protecting residents, 2) minimizes evacuation chaos, 3) promotes readiness, and 4) ensures compliance with California State laws including SB 99, AB 747, and AB 1409.
Actions
Priority 1 (within 12-24 months)
1. Evacuation Simulation: Engage Google Research to work with the Town of Los Gatos and Monte Sereno on an evacuation simulation. This simulation should develop two traffic baselines: 1) August through June, accounting for school traffic; and 2) June through September, accounting for beach traffic. Once the baselines are developed, run evacuation simulations to determine the length of time required to fully evacuate (sample simulations 1) evacuate the Civic Center CERT Zone [LG]; 2) evacuate all Monte Sereno residents west of Highway 9).
Based on the length of time to evacuate, improvement plans can be developed to decrease the time for evacuation. The City of Mill Valley is a good reference for this effort. For further information see “References” on page 13.
2. Comprehensive Evacuation Plan: develop a comprehensive evacuation plan. Consider employing “dynamic evacuation route management.” The scope of this plan must include, at a minimum, the City of Monte Sereno since the Town provides Police services to our neighbor. A suggested development process and content appear on page 12-13.
3. Roadway Infrastructure, 20 Feet of Clear Width: Roadways throughout the WUI need to be assessed to determine if 20 feet of clear width exists. a. Step 1: Publish a report cataloging the clear-width conditions of all roads in the WUI, with each road rated for compliance with State, County, and Town fire codes. b. Step 2: Develop solutions to address clear-width issues e.g., road widening, turnouts, etc. c. Step 3: Develop project priorities and begin remediating clear-width issues on public roadways.
Priority 2 (3 years)
1. Review and evaluate the current Wildfire Evacuation Plan to determine the need for changes and/or updates.
12 Estimated Costs
Town Funding: Priority 1 (within 12-18 months)
• Evacuation Simulation: estimate $35,000 (to be confirmed) • Comprehensive Evacuation Plan: On average, development of a comprehensive wildfire evacuation plan will range from $50,000 to $200,000. This cost includes research, code compliance, route analysis, mapping, and employee training. This report estimates $150,000. • Roadway Infrastructure, 20 Feet of Clear Width: this is difficult to estimate without an inventory of WUI roadways. This report estimates $10 million in needed roadway remediation to address clear width. Remediation would be completed over several years e.g., beginning year 2 and concluding year 5.
Town Funding: Priority 2 (within 3-5 years)
• Review, Evaluate, Update Evacuation Plan: $5,000-$15,000.
Private Funding
No direct cost to residents is expected.
Obstacles/Challenges
• Community Engagement: Community participation and buy-in is crucial. • Resource Allocation: Allocating sufficient resources including funding and personnel. • Infrastructure Limitations: Developing evacuation routes and ensuring they are accessible and safe will be difficult. Other challenges include addressing issues of road capacity, traffic management, and the availability of shelters.
• Coordination Among Agencies: Effective planning requires coordination between multiple agencies, including the Town of Los Gatos, the City of Monte Sereno, Santa Clara County Fire Department, Cal Fire, County Office of Emergency Services, and community organizations.
Clear roles and responsibilities must be established for each. • Special Needs Populations: Planning for vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, disabled, and those in hospitals requires additional considerations and resources. • Communication Systems: Establishing reliable communication systems to alert residents and provide real-time updates. This includes overcoming issues like telecommunications outages, power outages and damaged infrastructure.
Measures of Success
• Time to Evacuate
• Number of residents participating in evacuation drills per year • Percentage of WUI roadways with 20 ft of clear width
• Percentage of identified WUI roadway improvement projects completed.
Evacuation Plan: Process and Content
1. Stakeholder Collaboration
● Engage local government, emergency services, community leaders, and residents in the planning process.
● Include input from relevant parties. Ensure comprehensive coverage & community buy-in.
2. Risk Assessment
● Gain a thorough understanding of assessments of wildfire risks, including fire history, topography, and local vegetation.
● Use maps and data to identify high-risk areas and assets at risk. 13 3. Evacuation Routes and Zones
● To comply with SB 99, cities/towns must identify residential developments in hazard areas that lack at least two emergency evacuation routes.
● To comply with AB 747, cities/towns are required to identify evacuation routes and assess/ address capacity, safety, and viability under various emergency scenarios. Identify and map out primary and alternate evacuation routes.
● Identify evacuation routes with < 20 feet of clear width. Restrict parking in residential neighborhoods where street parking negatively impacts 20 feet of clear width. - Eliminate on-street parking and evaluate the use of one-way streets for width-constrained evacuation routes.
- Identify potential road widening, turnout projects throughout the WUI. Develop a multiyear project to implement the necessary improvements. ● Identify one-way in and one-way out roadways throughout the WUI. Develop alternate emergency ingress and egress for these roadways.
● Arrange with owners of locked gates restricting access to private roads in the WUI to provide the means for local residents to evacuate via private roads. ● Identify/map private roadways in the WUI. This was recommended in 2020 as a priority-1 (within 2 years). No action has taken place to date.
● Confirm evacuation zones (CERT Zones, Genasys Protect) and ensure they are wellcommunicated to all residents. Ref: Know Your Zone https://protect.genasys.com/search ● Consider implementation of Traffic Preemption for emergency vehicles (traffic light control). ● Coordinate with VTA on beach traffic mitigation and transportation options in emergency and high-risk situations. One example is use of buses for mass evacuation transportation. ● Implement reflective home address signage throughout the WUI.
4. Evacuation Meeting Locations
● To comply with AB 1409, cities/towns must ensure that evacuation routes lead to specified evacuation locations, providing clear guidance on where residents should go during an evacuation, e.g., community/temporary refuge areas.
● Identify evacuation shelters in Los Gatos and in neighboring communities. Eighteen (10-Los Gatos, 8-Saratoga) pre-approved Red Cross shelters are available for Los Gatos, Monte Sereno and Saratoga.
5. Emergency Alerts and Communication
● Implement a robust system for emergency alerts and notifications. ● Develop a COM plan to keep residents informed before, during, and after an evacuation.
6. Support for Vulnerable Populations
● Develop specific plans to assist vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, disabled, and those without transportation.
● Ensure these groups have access to necessary resources and support during an evacuation.
7. Community Education and Drills
● Conduct regular community education programs on wildfire preparedness and evacuation procedures.
● Organize and administer evacuation drills to ensure everyone knows what to do in an emergency.
● Communicate evacuation plan to all residents.
References: City of Mill Valley Evacuation Simulation References • Improving traffic evacuations (Google Research Case Study):
https://research.google/blog/improving-traffic-evacuations-a-case-study/ • Mill Valley Evacuation Study (Google Research Article): https://arxiv.org/pdf/2307.07108 • Improving Traffic Flow During a Mill Valley Evacuation (MV City Council):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1usYPfb1PHchv_JUfwn2y2JgcB2jAUUTx/view?usp=sharing 14 Fuel Reduction / Vegetation Management (Town)
Background
Vegetation Management is a critical component of wildfire mitigation. The Town has 31 miles of roadway, three Open Space areas, and many parks that require regular fuel reduction and vegetation management. Why the roadways? Approximately 90% of all wildfires occur within half a mile of a roadway. Why the Open Space areas and parks? The Town’s open space areas and parks are heavily used by the public. Good vegetation management reduces the risk of human-caused wildfire and reduces the risk of wildfire spread should a fire start in or encroach into one of these Open Space areas or parks.
Importance
Fuel Reduction and Vegetation Management programs can save lives by clearing a wider zone on both sides of roadways. This wider zone allows residents to use the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) roadways to evacuate an area in peril even if the vegetation on both sides of the road is on fire.
Vegetation Management can reduce the risk of fallen trees, spot fires, smoke, intense heat, long flame lengths, downed power lines, or vehicle accidents. All of which can prevent safe evacuation.
Actions
Priority 1 (within 2 years)
1. Roadside Fuel Reduction
a. Clearance of non-fire-resistant vegetation within 10 feet of roads and 13.5 feet vertically above the 31 miles of WUI roadways. Commit to a 6-year management cycle. b. Remove Eucalyptus trees along all WUI roadways. The ultimate objective is removal of all Eucalyptus trees adjacent to WUI roadways.
2. Weed Abatement
a. Santa Clara County requires that grass and weeds be maintained below 6 inches for 10 feet horizontally on both sides of all roadways. Residents are held to this standard. Enforcement action can be taken for those refusing to comply.
b. The Town’s 31 miles of WUI roadways need to comply with the County’s requirement, maintain grasses and weeds below 6 inches for 10 feet horizontally on both sides of all roadways.” c. Commit to two weed abatement passes on the 31 miles of WUI roadways/year.
3. Open Space Areas/Parks: The Town’s Open Space areas/parks should also be on a six-year maintenance cycle. Highest priority should be assigned to the maintenance of the Open Space areas: 1) Heintz Open Space, 2) Santa Rosa Open Space, and 3) Shannon Valley Open Space.
4. Private Roadway Fuel Reduction: There are numerous private roadways in the WUI that need to be held to the same standard for fuel reduction. Once WUI private roadways are identified, Santa Clara County Fire Department should inspect them to determine clearance compliance within 10 feet of the roadsides and minimum vertical clearance of 13 feet, 6 inches. Private road residents will be provided notice to comply with these standards.
Priority 2 (within 3-5 years)
1. Eucalyptus Removal on Town Property: Commit to remove all Eucalyptus trees in Town right of ways, parks, other remaining Town property.
2. Eucalyptus Removal Incentive Program: Develop a cost share Eucalyptus removal program for residents desiring to remove Eucalyptus trees on their private property (Tree Replacement fund is a possible source of funding.
3. Resident Vegetation Management Nomination: Implement a program where residents can report / identify / “nominate” a roadway that is in dire need of Vegetation Management. 15 Estimated Costs
• Roadside Fuel Reduction: Annual estimated cost is $390,000 ($75,000/mile x 5.2 miles). This also assumes a 6-year management cycle.
• Weed Abatement: Annual estimated cost is $620,000 ($10,000/mile x 62 miles). This assumes weed abatement is performed two times during fire season (31 miles of WUI roadway x 2). • Open Space Areas/Parks: Annual estimated cost is $100,000.
Possible Funding Source: Governor Newsom signed a new law on April 14, 2025, that allocates $180 million for wildfire prevention projects, such as prescribed burns, vegetation management, and other efforts to mitigate wildfire risks throughout the state. The bill splits the $180M for fuels management projects between six conservancies throughout California. Los Gatos should investigate whether it can access these funds.
Obstacles/Challenges
• Finding funding sources for roadside fuel reduction, weed abatement, and vegetation management in Open Space Areas/Parks, especially challenging if the Town is to achieve set maintenance cycles.
• Getting buy-in from residents to accept fuel reduction/vegetation management work (concerns about trees, the environment, etc.).
• Acquiring Project Management resources to oversee and manage significant fuels reduction/ vegetation management programs.
Measures of Success
• Miles of roadside fuel reduction per year. Goal is 5.2 miles/year. • Percentage of private roadways implementing vegetation management. Goal is 100% • Percentage of vegetation on Town owned Open Space maintained. Goal is 100%. 16 Defensible Space / Home Hardening
Background
As we continue to experience increased frequency and intensity of wildfire in California, the Town of Los Gatos faces heightened risks to life, property, and infrastructure. Wildfire defensible space and home hardening strategies have emerged as critical components of wildfire risk mitigation. Defensible space involves the strategic management of vegetation and other combustible materials around a structure to reduce fire intensity and improve firefighter access. Home hardening refers to modifying the structure itself—such as installing ember-resistant vents, using fire-resistant building materials, and sealing gaps—to prevent ignition from embers, radiant heat, and direct flame contact. A comprehensive approach to wildfire resilience must integrate defensible space and home hardening with community-wide planning, emergency response readiness, and environmental stewardship.
The Town of Los Gatos can motivate residents to create defensible space and implement home hardening measures by connecting residents with existing education and assistance programs. Each homeowner must decide how to respond and act. Of course, defensible space within the high fire hazard severity zone is the law. Implementing home hardening measures are at the homeowner's discretion. The Town does play a critical role in the enforcement of defensible space when Santa Clara County Fire Department (SCCFD) reports properties that are out of compliance with State Law, California Public Resources Code (PRC) section 4291.
Importance
Creating Defensible Space and incorporating Home Hardening measures are critically important for wildfire protection because they directly reduce the likelihood that a structure will ignite during a wildfire. Together, they form a two-layer defense system that addresses both the environment around the home and the vulnerability of the structure itself. • By creating defensible space, homeowners help to mitigate fire risk and give their homes a better chance of survival in case of wildfire.
• Home hardening, when combined with defensible space, can significantly improve a home’s chances of surviving wildfire and can be crucial for areas at high risk of fire. • Homes with defensible space and home hardening measures in place increase the probability of survival without intervention. Homes that have taken these measures are more likely to survive wildfires even when fire crews are not available to defend them.
Actions
Priority 1 (within 2 years)
1. Home Inspections: Promote free Home Inspection Zone Assessments through the Santa Clara County FireSafe Council. These assessments will provide specific recommendations on defensible space and home hardening.
2. Firewise Communities: Promote establishment of Firewise Communities throughout the WUI. The Firewise program is focused on defensible space and home hardening. There are numerous established programs available in support of Firewise Communities.
3. Grant Program: Establish a grant program to financially assist vulnerable residents with defensible space and home hardening projects.
4. Defensible Space Inspections: Work with SCCFD to increase the number of annual inspections. If a violation is identified, the homeowner is notified and provided with a 14-day window to correct the violation. If reinspection shows the violation has not been corrected, the homeowner will be referred to the Town for mandatory abatement. While voluntary compliance is preferred, 17 enforcement can also serve as a message to homeowners that defensible space is not a good suggestion. It is the law.
5. Other Defensible Space/Home Hardening Initiatives requiring further consideration. a. Fire Resistant Landscaping: Implement new construction requirements that provide specific fire-resistant landscaping. Refer to FireSafe Marin list of Fire-Resistant plants for use in the WUI. https://firesafemarin.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/FIRESafeMARIN_plant-list_2019.pdf b. Develop an incentive program (cost share) for residential Eucalyptus removal possibly utilizing tree replacement funds. Link the Town’s Tree Ordinance.
Priority 2 (within 3-5 years)
1. Expanded Grant Program: Extend grant program to financially assist “eligible” residents with defensible space and home hardening projects.
2. Weed Abatement Enforcement: Review and update the Town Code, as needed, on weed abatement enforcement. It is governed by Chapter 11, Article 2, Sections 11.20.010–11.20.045.
3. Tree Protection: Review and update the Town Code, as needed, on Tree Protection. It is governed by Chapter 29, Article 2, Sections 29.10.0950-29.10.0992.
Estimated Costs
Town
• Information/Education: Effort is required to pull together information for homeowners/residents. Addressed through the Education and Outreach Initiative. • Grant Program for Vulnerable Residents: $100,000/year.
Residents
We are sharing this information to raise awareness about the costs of Defensible Space and Home Hardening.
• Defensible Space: Estimated cost for 100 feet of Defensible Space - Basic: Includes vegetation clearance and pruning ranges from $3,000 to $10,000. - Comprehensive: Includes fire-resistant landscaping and regular maintenance. The cost ranges between $10,000-$20,000 or more for a 100-foot buffer depending on the home's location, size, and the level of fire risk.
- Maintenance: Regular mowing, brush clearing, and trimming are necessary to maintain the space. Expect annual maintenance costs to range from $500 to $2,500/year depending on the size of the area.
• Home Hardening: A full home hardening project, including roof replacement, window upgrades, vent installations, and additional fire-resistant measures, can range from $10,000 to $50,000 or more for a typical home. For larger homes or more extensive upgrades the cost can exceed $100,000.
Possible Funding Sources. California offers:
• Grants and rebates through programs like the California Fire Safe Council's Fire Prevention Grants and the Defensible Space and Home Hardening Program. • Programs and incentives to help homeowners create defensible space, including grants and funding through the California Fire Safe Council and local fire agencies. 18 Obstacles/Challenges
• Overcoming complacency, “It won’t happen here.” The LA fires created significant concern, but concern waned in just three months.
• Convincing homeowners to change their home/landscaping look/style. • Unwillingness to make investments required to maintain defensible and improve home hardening. Discounts provided by Insurance companies are small in comparison to expensive upgrades e.g., enclosing open.
Measures of Success
• # of homeowners completing Home Ignition Zone Assessments annually • % of Firewise Communities and # of households in those communities • % of homes/properties in the WUI in compliance with Defensible Space • # of residential defensible space inspections conducted by SCCFD or the SCC FireSafe Council (Home Inspection Zone assessment) per year
• # of residential eucalyptus trees removed per year
19 Education and Outreach
Background
The Town needs to educate residents on actions and resources to protect life and property. Education has two aspects: identifying/creating the right resources and making sure that people are aware of them (communications). The education initiative will include existing resources (e.g., recommendations SCC Fire Dept., CAL Fire, and SCC Fire Safe Council), Town-specific resources e.g., evacuation plan). The Town should not be a significant content developer or program creator because excellent content and programs already exist. Instead, the Town’s main job will be to point residents to both content and programs. Education and outreach apply to each of the key initiatives:
Emergency Communication, Evacuation, Fuel Reduction / Vegetation Management, and Defensible Space / Home Hardening.
Importance
Residents need education on:
• Wildfire risks in our community
• Resident-led wildfire prevention activities, such as home hardening and defensible space.
They need to understand what they HAVE to do versus what they SHOULD do. • Town-led programs, such as weed abatement and tree trimming. • County-led programs (SCCFD and Fire Safe Council) for chipping, etc. • Evacuation routes
• Insurance options
• Emergency communications channels
Actions
Priority 1 (within 2 years)
1. Create an Emergency Preparation/Response communication plan focused on education and outreach. Key items to include in the plan:
a. Update the Town of Los Gatos Emergency Preparedness web pages. Refer residents to existing resources and upcoming events sponsored by Cal Fire, Santa Clara County FireSafe Council, Santa Clara County Fire Department, CA Department of Insurance, Watch Duty, AlertSCC, etc., instead of posting content that will always require updating. Links should include:
- Defensible Space: https://www.fire.ca.gov/dspace
- Know Your Evacuation Zone: https://protect.genasys.com/ - Home Ignition Zone Inspection (SCCFireSafe): https://sccfiresafe.org/prepare/defensiblespace-and-hazardous-fuel-reduction-hfr/hiz/ - Wildfire Preparation: https://readyforwildfire.org/
- Insurance Programs: https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/200-wrr/Safer-fromWildfires.cfm - Local Programs/Information: https://sccfiresafe.org/
- Firewise Communities: https://sccfiresafe.org/learn/why-go-firewise/
2. Publicize educational events from Fire Safe Council, SCCFD, and other entities to educate residents on risks, mitigation activities, and insurance options. Encourage residents to sign up for an HIZ evaluation, Wildfire Preparedness evaluation, and inspection from SCCFD (for WUI residents). Possible: town-wide or neighborhood educational events, live or online. 20 - Communicate through the Town of Los Gatos Newsletter (the Friday email). Point residents to registration sites, etc.
- Consider coordinating public service announcements through KCAT.
3. Educate and motivate homeowners in the WUI to establish Firewise communities. Encourage the Los Gatos Town Council and Staff to declare May “Wildfire Prevention Month.” Explore holding a Public Safety Day.
Audiences for educational programs include:
• Homeowners (primarily through Town website, and other media). • Residents (what are your neighbors doing to reduce YOUR risk?) • Architect/construction industry (consult with Community Development). • Landscape industry (Community Development – Develop approved plants/trees for use in LG WUI. Promote training for landscape professionals such as “Wildfire Defense Certificate for Landscape Professionals” https://www.pathlms.com/usgbc-california/courses/92252) • Educate and motivate homeowners about defensible space and home hardening assessments through the SCC FireSafe Council (Home Ignition Zone Assessment).
Priority 2 (within 3-5 years)
1. Review effectiveness of Education and Outreach Initiative and related Emergency Preparedness Communication Plan.
2. Review and revise the portfolio educational programs every 2 years, when the SCCFD conducts another Community Risk Assessment. Consider community stakeholder input when revising programs.
Estimated Costs
• Emergency Preparedness Communication Plan = $7,500
• Update Emergency Preparedness Web Page = $5,000
• Promote creation of Firewise Communities = $5,000
• Promote and motivate residents to install emergency apps = $2,500 Obstacles/Challenges
• Attracting attention instead of being just another email, etc. • Moving residents to action has proven to be challenging Measures of Success
• # of Emergency Preparedness web page views
• # of LG residents attending educational programs
• # of social media posts
21 Appendix C: Emergency Partnerships
The nature of wildfire spread requires a regional approach to wildfire mitigation. A partial list of governmental and private entities with vegetation management responsibilities appears below.
Additional regional partners which provide educational and other assistance in creating community resilience to wildfire are also listed.
Fire Services / Prevention Services
• Santa Clara County Fire District (SCCFD): Santa Clara County Fire Department is an all-risk fire department and provides fire suppression inclusive of structure and vegetation/wildland fire mitigation, technical rescue operations, emergency medical services (EMS), hazardous materials (HazMat) mitigation, fire prevention, community education and risk reduction services (CERRS), disaster preparedness, community emergency preparedness and service responses.
• Santa Clara County Firesafe Council: The Town of Los Gatos supports and collaborates with the Santa Clara Firesafe Council. The Firesafe Council is a non-profit organization that provides resources to coordinate public and private landowners in Santa Clara County to reduce the threat of wildfire.
County / State Agencies
• County Roads, Valley Water, and CalTrans: These regional governmental partners each have properties and rights-of-way within and/or adjacent to the Town of Los Gatos. These agencies must meet a shared specification for roadside fuel reduction and support safety in general. • Santa Clara County Parks: Periodically, the Parks Department makes use of prescribed burns to manage non-native vegetation, reduce fuel loading, promote managed burns and in wildfire fighting techniques and principles.
Agencies / Districts / Other Organizations
• VTA: Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district that provides sustainable, accessible, community-focused transportation options. As the county’s congestion management agency, VTA is responsible for countywide transportation planning, including congestion management, design and construction of specific highway, pedestrian, and bicycle improvement projects
• West Valley Cities: The West Valley cities of Monte Sereno and Saratoga share with Los Gatos a large number of Very High / High Fire Severity Zones within their borders (see appendices).
Because wildfire extends across community borders, an incident in one jurisdiction can be expected to spread to neighboring jurisdictions. Communication between West Valley cities and coordination of wildfire prevention strategies is therefore critical to the prevention of wildfire.
• American Red Cross: In the arena of emergency services, the Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to people affected by disasters. There are 18 designated emergency shelters serving Los Gatos, Monte Sereno and Saratoga.
• Mid-Peninsula Open Space District (Midpen): Midpen is an independent Special District that manages 26 Open Space Preserves, containing nearly 65,000 acres of public land. In Los 22 Gatos, Midpen manages and maintains significant land holdings along the Town’s southern border (see Appendix). Wildland fire prevention, preparedness, and response are all critical components of Midpen’s ongoing land stewardship which is largely accomplished through the management of vegetation within its preserves to reduce the risk and severity of wildfire, with a focus on ecological health and wildland fire resilience.
Utilities
• Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E): PG&E provides electricity to the Town of Los Gatos and controls the necessary rights-of-way to maintain overhead transmission and distribution lines, many of which run through the WUI areas. The Town collaborates with PG&E to treat vegetation in the WUI along PG&E’s electric transmission line right-of-way to increase power reliability and reduce ignition potential and resulting wildland fire hazard. • San Jose Water Company (SJW): San Jose Water is an investor-owned public utility and is one of the largest urban water systems in the United States, serving over 1 million people in the greater San Jose metropolitan area. It maintains critical infrastructure in Town essential to fire suppression and manages watershed lands near Los Gatos.
GOAL: To establish working relationships with these organizations to leverage resources including expertise and shared funding opportunities.
ACTION ITEMS PRIORITY TIMEFRAME
Work with neighboring cities of Monte Sereno and Saratoga to develop a regional evacuation plan and coordinate wildfire mitigation efforts. Jointly advocate for the continuation and increased vegetation management among Town and City partners.
Priority 1 – within 2 years
Ensure timely communications between the Town and these Partners regarding activities that may affect another partner’s land management. Establish key contacts in each of the Partner organizations.
Priority 1 – within 2 years
Explore a regional approach to funding wildfire mitigation initiatives. Priority 2 – within 3 years 23 Appendix D: Los Gatos Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) The Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) area is best described as an area that transitions from a natural condition (wildland) to a developed area (urban). Homes and other developments in the WUI are at risk of catastrophic wildfire due to the presence of vegetation that could fuel a wildfire. The WUI creates an environment in which fire can move readily between structural and vegetative fuels, increasing the potential for wildland fire ignitions and the corresponding potential loss of life and property.
The current Los Gatos Local Responsibility Area (in effect through spring 2025) primarily includes Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone areas on the southern end of Los Gatos. The areas shaded in red in Figure 1 illustrate the extent of WUI lands within the Town. Approximately 25% of the Town’s total residences are located within the WUI. Of an estimated Town total of 13,300 residences, the WUI contains approximately 3,100 residences. In addition, at an estimated 2.5 residents per household the WUI is home to approximately 7,750 residents among a Town total of 32,773 (Source: Census Reporter).
A majority of the northern perimeter of the WUI tends to be flatter terrain with higher concentrations of residences. To illustrate this residential concentration, 1,784 of the 3,091 residences in the WUI are located within a quarter mile of the northern boundary.
Town currently utilizes preestablished areas for the maintenance and execution of its Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program. The CERT maps contained in the Appendix also provide a detailed mapping of the Town WUI area, as well as routes of ingress/egress within CERT boundaries.
Figure 1. WUI Lands Within the Town
24 The State of California is updating the State and Local Responsibility Area maps. For Los Gatos, the WUI footprint will increase slightly, but there will be a reduction of residences in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. The updated map (Figure 2) now includes: 1) Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, 2) High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, and 3) Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zones. This updated map will be approved by the Town Council in the next couple of months.
Figure 2. New Local Responsibility Area map for Los Gatos—Pending Approval Figure 3. Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Neighborhood Map 25 Appendix E: Report References
1. Los Gatos Ad Hoc Wildfire Committee Report – December 1, 2020
2. Los Gatos Ad Hoc Wildfire Committee Updated Report – October 11, 2021
3. Los Gatos 2040 General Plan, Chapter 9 - Hazards & Safety Element, June 2022
4. Annex 9 / Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) – 2024
5. Wildland Urban Interface Evacuation Assessment Report – October 15, 2019
6. Town Ordinances
a. ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 9 (FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION) OF THE TOWN
CODE REGARDING WEED ABATEMENT REGULATIONS
b. ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 11 (GARBAGE, REFUSE AND WEEDS) OF THE TOWN CODE
REGARDING WEED ABATEMENT REGULATIONS
c. ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 29 (TREE PROTECTION) OF THE TOWN CODE REGARDING WEED ABATEMENT REGULATIONS.