I am writing to you today on behalf of Red Alert Montara Moss Beach (RAMMB), a group of residents on the San Mateo coast side which is concerned about the wildfire threat posed by an abandoned and unmanaged Right of Way owned by Caltrans, often referred to as the Martini Creek Bypass. This overgrown non-native forest thrusts into the heart of the Montara and Moss Beach communities. As of February, the Right of Way has been designated as a very high-risk fire severity zone as determined by Cal Fire. As of this writing, RAMMB has engaged with Caltrans, but given the severity and urgency of this threat, this is a matter that deserves and requires your support to motivate action before the coming fire season.

The Right of Way of concern is a 100-acre area that was acquired by the State of California through eminent domain in the 1970s. Its original purpose was to bypass the unstable strip of Highway 1 known as Devil’s Slide. It has been surplus land since the Tom Lantos Tunnel opened in 2013.

The state has not maintained the ROW and has allowed the once farmland and meadows to reach a very high-risk fire severity zone. RAMMB estimates that about 2,400 residential homes are at immediate risk, and at least 5,000 residences would be at risk should wind-driven fires carry embers into El Granada, and the forests in Quarry Park, etc.

The scope of the threat goes beyond flames enveloping homes. In Montara, there is only one exit route for evacuation. This route was proven deadly inadequate during the Dec. 5th, 2024 tsunami warning. Citizens’ safety is at risk, in addition to their homes. Furthermore, the major water tank and well-pump facility for the Montara Water and Sanitary District (MWSD) are located in this area and subject to compromise in the event of a fire. The long-term consequences for the MWSD watershed, ravaged by fire, would be devastating to the Community.

As mentioned earlier, RAMMB is engaged with Caltrans and an initial evaluation has been promised. We, as citizens, however, are earnestly appealing that the State of California act with a sense of urgency. We want to begin mitigation of this substantial threat prior to the coming fire season of 2025.

We request your support for the following:

1. Caltrans (State of California) take immediate responsibility for mitigating the very high fire hazard they caused.

2. Caltrans publishes a plan and a timeline for mitigation.

3. The ROW is cleared by May 1, 2026.