The City of Saratoga has secured $1.75 million in state funding to strengthen wildfire preparedness in the city's hillside areas. The funding, sponsored by Assemblymember Marc Berman, will support vegetation management and wildfire fuel reduction along critical evacuation routes in the Wildland Urban Interface.
Work supported by the funding may include removing or thinning hazardous vegetation, clearing brush and overgrowth, pruning or removing trees, reducing roadside vegetation, and maintaining defensible space along key evacuation corridors. These efforts aim to reduce combustible vegetation near roadways, improve visibility and access, and keep evacuation routes accessible for residents and emergency responders during wildfires or other emergencies.
The City will prioritize locations based on wildfire risk, evacuation needs, roadway conditions, and opportunities to reduce hazardous vegetation. The Assembly Budget Committee will determine the timing and process for jurisdictions to receive the funding, which is expected by the end of 2026.
"This funding will allow us to build on the work already underway by reducing hazardous vegetation along critical routes and making our community better prepared," said Mayor Chuck Page.