Devil’s Slide - Martini Creek Bypass Fuels Reduction Project

Project Overview

Caltrans will begin fuel reduction work to mitigate wildfire risk along a Caltrans-owned parcel known as the "Devil's Slide Bypass" or the "Martini Creek Bypass" area in Montara and Moss Beach. Crews will remove vegetation, including trees, bark, limbs and other debris, to create defensible space between private property lines and state Right-of-Way, as recommended by CAL FIRE.  The fuel reduction project is estimated to begin in May, 2026 and will take between two and three months to complete. Neighbors should expect daytime work and noise. All work will take place on weekdays.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the project start?

A vegetation management contractor is scheduled to start vegetation work in May, 2026 and complete work by July, 2026.

Why does this parcel need fuel reduction work?

In 2025, California updated its Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) maps to better reflect current and future wildfire risks across the state. These maps, developed by the Office of the State Fire Marshal, are a critical tool for public safety and land-use planning. By law, the State Fire Marshal is required to classify lands within State Responsibility Areas into designated zones: Moderate, High, or Very High risk, based on factors such as vegetation, topography, weather patterns, and historical fire behavior. Many areas, such as the Devil’s Slide parcel, have been reclassified to reflect an elevated fire risk.

How will Caltrans protect the environment in the parcel?

Caltrans prioritizes the protection of natural resources to support the long‑term ecological health of its Right-of-Way. A biologist will be on-site to ensure that species and the watershed are protected. Any trees marked for removal with active birds’ nests will be removed only after all birds have fledged.

Why did Caltrans acquire this land?

In the 1970s, Caltrans set out to solve an annual problem: the frequent closures of the Devil’s Slide portion of Highway 1 due to rockslides during the rainy season. Devil’s Slide, a narrow, landslide-prone stretch of land between Pacifica and Montara, needed to become a reliable coastal route so Caltrans initially proposed building a highway bypass over Montara Mountain. After years of planning and public debate, that vision gave way to a modified solution: boring twin tunnels through San Pedro Mountain. While the tunnel ultimately opened in 2013, the land Caltrans acquired for the original bypass remains under state ownership.

Can a local agency take over this parcel?

San Mateo County's Local Coastal Program (LCP) Policy 11.33 governs Caltrans’ ability to sell the land acquired for the Devil’s Slide Bypass project. This policy mandates the preparation and certification of a Specific Plan by the California Coastal Commission for all properties within the bypass alignment before the properties can be declared excess and sold. The policy aims to ensure that any future use of the land prioritizes public recreation, open space, habitat protection, or trail development. Until such a Specific Plan is adopted and certified, the land remains under Caltrans’ ownership and has restricted uses. This framework was established to protect the coastal environment and ensure that any changes to the land use align with broader community and ecological goals. 

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