Project Definition![]() Project Completion ReportDate:
September 23, 2015 To: Kirk Shearer, PG&E Rich Sampson, CalFire Andy Hubbs, CalFire Denise Enea, San Mateo Fire Safe Patty Ciesla, Santa Clara Fire Safe Council From: Debra Born, SSFSC Project Manager Re: Alpine Road/Portola State Park Road Shaded Fuel Break Project Completion On behalf of the South Skyline Fire Safe Council (SSFSC) and Bay Area Tree Specialists (BATS) I am pleased to report the completion of understory vegetation clearing work to improve the shaded fuel break along upper Alpine Road and a portion of Portola State Park Road. This project improved access for firefighting equipment and personnel and egress for residents and visitors to this scenic area. Funding was provided by a PG&E master grant to the Santa Clara County FireSafe Council and subsequent award of $18K to the SSFSC for this project. SCCFSC maintained fiscal control.
PROCESS Initially I met with Andy Hubbs of Cal Fire who made recommendations about priorities and effective techniques for creating a shaded fuel break. Subsequent conversations with San Mateo County Road Coastal Division supervisor Mark Marelich and Mid-Peninsula Open Space director Brian Malone established acceptable clearing methods and safety requirements. Residents of affected roads were alerted via South Skyline Association’s quarterly newsletter Skylines and by handing out a flyer to residents bordering the work. Finally, it should be noted I received much support and assistance from SSFSC members Eric Isaacson, Dick Schwind, and Sue and Dave Myrick throughout the course of this project.
PROJECT SCHEDULE SSFSC began planning this work in May 2015 following the award of the PG&E master grant. In mid-July BATS was selected to do the work and by late July the County issued the encroachment permit for the work. A purchase order was issued by SCFSC to BATS on August 4. Work commenced August 18 and was completed August 27.
PROJECT SCOPE Project scope was the entire 3.3 mile length of upper Alpine Road beginning at its intersection with Skyline Boulevard/Highway 35 to its intersection with Portola State Park Road including approximately .3 miles of the upper portion of Portola State Park Road. Total cleared area is approximately 8 acres, the majority of which is along Mid-Peninsula Regional Open Space. The road right of way was cleared of ladder fuel to the degree possible given limitations presented by fencing and adjacent property owners. Clearing scope was to clear within 15 feet of the pavement edge on downhill slopes, within 10 feet of the edge on uphill slopes, and to maintain 16 feet clearance above the road surface. Initially SSFSC planned to remove all dead trees within cleared area, however funding enabled us to remove only three dead trees and to prune the rest up to approximately 10 feet above ground surface. Nonetheless, our clearing coupled with shoulder mowing done by San Mateo County earlier in July made a significant safety improvement to these two roads. Both roads are very narrow and curvy with mostly exceptionally steep terrain. Consequently in accordance with the San Mateo County encroachment permit requirements traffic controllers were a necessary part of the crew. BATS work required a total of 9 crew days with a crew size of approximately 8, including their two flaggers and supervisor. The South Skyline Fire Safe Council provided volunteer project manager and field supervisors for every crew day. In addition SSFSC provided approximately 175 hours of planning and coordinating to determine project scope, to develop bidding and contract documents, and to oversee the actual work.
CHALLENGES
ALPINE & PORTOLA STATE PARK ROADS BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS
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