Overgrown Caltrans Land Threatens Montara Homes: Fire Risk Ignites Debate

Montara residents are increasingly concerned about a large, overgrown hillside property owned by Caltrans. The property, purchased decades ago for a highway bypass that was never built, is now so overgrown that it poses a significant fire risk to nearby homes. Larry De Young, a Montara homeowner, stated, "I want them to make this fire safe. I want them to mitigate the fire hazard." Cal Fire has issued multiple violation notices to Caltrans for failing to maintain the legally required 100-foot buffer zone around several homes. However, Caltrans explains that environmental regulations protecting endangered species, such as the California red-legged frog and San Francisco garter snake, complicate efforts to clear the vegetation. The agency assures residents they are working on a potential exemption, but any work will still be subject to state and federal rules. This situation highlights the challenges of balancing fire safety with environmental protection in densely populated areas.