Mount Madonna Fuel Reduction Project
Santa Clara County Parks developed a comprehensive Forest Health Plan for Mount Madonna Park. The Forest Health Plan’s objective is to increase forest resiliency to drought, disease, pests, wildfire, and climate change. The Mount Madonna Fuel Reduction Project (FRP) is a subset of the larger Forest Health Plan, identifying plant management opportunities to improve wildfire resistance and resiliency. Strategically placed fuel reduction projects identified in the FRP will lower the risk of extreme wildfire behavior and facilitate the response of fire agencies to any fires that do occur. Wildland fire prevention and resiliency are part of Santa Clara County Parks continuing effort to promote health and safety for parks and visitors.
The Mt. Madonna Fuel Reduction Project will be completed by March 2025.
The Mount Madonna Fuel Reduction Project has three phases:
Pole Line Road is a major entrance and exit route for the local community, with over 200 commercial and residential structures in the adjacent area. A shaded fuel break will improve driver safety in the case of a wildfire and create a defensible space for fire crews to work from. Shaded fuel breaks minimize ignition potential, slow the spread of wildfire, reduce the intensity of wildfire, and reduce the likelihood of fire reaching tree canopies.
The two-and-a-half-mile shaded fuel break will cover the entirety of Pole Line Road from Hwy 152 to Summit Road. The work involves thinning trees and shrubs in strategic locations, and removing low tree limbs, dead or dying trees, and invasives.
A demonstration section of the fuel break was completed December 2021 with collaboration from Cal Fire SCU hand crews. The demonstration extends from the intersection of Summit Road and Pole Line Road up to the Inspiration Point parking lot. Informational signage was installed February 2022 to provide outreach and education to park guests and the neighboring community.
Partial road closures along Pole Line Road may occur during the operation. Advance notice along affected roadways.
A CalFire Crew works on creating a shaded fuel break at Mount Madonna County Park
Blue gum eucalyptus trees are fire-prone and invasive. They out-compete native redwoods in areas of
Mount Madonna Park resulting in dense single species stands called monocultures. Eucalyptus monocultures decrease the biodiversity of an area and increase susceptibility to wildfire and pathogen and pest outbreaks. The papery bark and thick waxy leaves of eucalyptus build up on the forest floor, and in severe weather have the potential to send burning material through the air igniting spot fires. While eucalyptus are fire prone, mature redwoods are naturally fire resistant because of their unique bark. Removing invasive eucalyptus stands allows the native redwoods to regrow and lowers wildfire risk.
The work being done involves the removal of approximately three acres of blue gum eucalyptus. Small eucalyptus trees will be chipped on site and larger trees will be saved for future use within SCC Parks.
Temporary partial and full road closures on Pole Line Road may take place during operations. Advance notice will be posted along affected roadways.
At Indian Rock there is approximately eighteen acres of blue gum eucalyptus that is out competing the
native redwoods and causing a significant wildfire risk, similar to the Bayview stand.
The work being done involves the removal of approximately three acres of blue gum eucalyptus. Small eucalyptus trees will be chipped on site and larger trees will be saved for future use within SCC Parks. The suppressed native understory will be retained to restore the site through natural regeneration.
Temporary partial and full road closures on Pole Line Road may take place during operations. Advance notice will be posted along affected roadways. Indian Rock Group Campsite and Arrowhead group campsite will be closed during operation. Closure notices will be given in advance and will be displayed at the campground and on the reservation page.
Mt. Madonna Fuel Reduction Project is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing GHG emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment– particularly in disadvantaged communities. The Cap-and-Trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution. California Climate Investments projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling, and much more. At least 35 percent of these investments are located within and benefiting residents of disadvantaged communities, low-income communities, and low-income households across California. For more information, visit the California Climate Investments website at: www.caclimateinvestments.ca.gov.
