Magdalena / I-280 Interchange Project

Project Description

The Magdalena / I-280 Interchange in Los Altos Hills, California, provides a significant route of egress/ingress for the northern portion of the Los Altos Hills Community in the event of a fire. To secure the integrity of these egress/ingress routes, Los Altos Hills County Fire District and Santa Clara County FireSafe Council propose a roadside treatment of hazardous fuels.

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

Before & After Photos

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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.

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Hazardous vegetation, including brush, grasses, and tree limbs, is cleared to the fence line.

 

Project Site

This project will treat the Magdalena / I-280 Interchange which consists of three outer ramps and one inner loop ramp.
The total treatment area has been separated into operational quadrants.

Operational Quadrant Alpha:

• The South Bound I-280 to Eastbrook Avenue off-ramp. Approximately 0.2 linear miles, equivalent to 0.4 treated miles.
• Eastbrook Avenue from the South Bound I-280 ramp to Magdalena Avenue. Approximately 0.1 linear miles, equivalent to 0.2 treated miles.
• The inner loop on-ramp from Eastbrook Avenue to South Bound I-280. Approximately 0.2 linear miles, equivalent to 0.4 treated miles.

Operational Quadrant Bravo:

• The Eastbrook Avenue to South Bound I-280 on-ramp. Approximately 0.1 linear miles, equivalent to 0.2 treated miles.

Operational Quadrant Charlie:

• The North Bound I-280 to Magdalena Avenue off-ramp. Approximately 0.2 linear miles, equivalent to 0.4 treated miles.

Operational Quadrant Delta:

• The Magdalena Avenue to North Bound I-280 on-ramp. Approximately 0.3 linear miles, equivalent to 0.6 treated miles.

Total treated area: approximately 1.1 linear miles, 2.2 treated miles, 17 acres

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Treatment History

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2026 October Initial Treatment

The initial treatment of Magdalena / I-280 Interchange will treat three outer ramps and one inner loop ramp.

• The South Bound I-280 to Eastbrook Avenue off-ramp
• Eastbrook Avenue from the South Bound I-280 ramp to Magdalena Avenue
• The inner loop on-ramp from Eastbrook Avenue to South Bound I-280
• The Eastbrook Avenue to South Bound I-280 on-ramp
• The North Bound I-280 to Magdalena Avenue off-ramp
• The Magdalena Avenue to North Bound I-280 on-ramp

Project length: approximately 1.1 linear miles, 2.2 treated miles, 17 acres