Elena-Taaffe Evacuation Route Project

Project Description

Elena and Taaffe Roads in Los Altos Hills, California, represent a significant thoroughfare for the Los Altos Hills Community in the case of emergency evacuation.

Interstate 280 (I-280) is a primary evacuation corridor for Los Altos Hills. Connectivity of primary and secondary thoroughfares from residential roads to the interstate are critical for ingress and egress if emergency evacuation becomes necessary. The Elena – Taaffe Evacuation Route Project is one of four frontage roadways being treated to provide alternative connectivity to the I-280 access ramps and the I-280 under passages.

From the intersection of Altamont Road, Taaffe Road provides an easterly, downhill directed evacuation route, roughly midway between the two I-280 access ramps at Page Mill and El Monte Roads. Taaffe Road terminates as Elena Road.

Elena Road is a frontage road to I-280 that distributes traffic to both the Page Mill and El Monte Roads access ramps. Additionally, Elena Road provides access to the Robleda and La Barranca Roads I-280 underpasses as well as its own underpass. Elena Road has previously been treated from its terminus at Purissima Road to La Barranca Road, an I-280 underpass.

To secure egress for all people along this evacuation route in the event of wildfire, the Los Altos Hills County Fire District (LAHCFD or District) and Santa Clara County Firesafe Council (SCCFSC) propose a roadside treatment of hazardous fuels.

You may read more about the Elena-Taaffe project goals on the Santa Clara County FireSafe Council website.

Before & After Photos

Example 1

EXAMPLE 1: Low-growing tree branches and excess vegetation are cut away from the lower portion of the trees to create a separation between the tree canopy and ground fuels, also known as ladder fuels

example 2

EXAMPLE 2: Low-growing tree branches and excess vegetation are cut away from the lower portion of the trees to create a separation between the tree canopy and ground fuels, also known as ladder fuels.

Example 3

EXAMPLE 3: Overgrown areas of vegetation will be thinned out. Wooded vegetation piles will be cleaned up and chipped.

set 5

EXAMPLE 4: Weeds, grasses and ground vegetation within the public right of way are trimmed to shorter than 6".

Example 5

EXAMPLE 5: When there's a Pathway, as shown here, the easement allows for trimming and additional 1 foot on each side of the path.

 

Project Site

This project treated two (2) roads along the evacuation route.

• Taaffe Road from Altamont Road and Taaffe Road. Approximately 0.9 linear miles, 1.8 treated miles.
• Elena Road from La Barranca Road to Moody / El Monte Road. Approximately 1.6 linear miles, 3.2 treated miles.

Total treated area: approximately 2.5 linear miles, 5 treated miles.

Click to enlarge.

Treatment History

Click to enlarge.

2025 August Initial Treatment

The initial treatment of Elena – Taaffe treated two (2) roadways:

• Taaffe Road from Elena Road to Altamont Road
• Elena Road from La Barranca Road to Moody Road / El Monte Road

Project length: Approximately 5 treated miles

View 2025 Final Report