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Los Gatos Creek

Watershed Collaboration

Forest Health Grant Update

February 2026

Status Update

South Branch Update:

Operations in the South Branch are progressing steadily across two active project areas: the San Jose Water Company property and Midpeninsula Open Space District lands. Between the two project sites, treatment activities have been completed on a total of 197.5 acres. Of this total, 24.5 acres were treated using mechanical methods, while 173 acres were completed through manual operations.

At the San Jose Water Company site, Denali Tree Service is leading operations. Utilizing two tracked chippers (pictured below) supported by a skilled hand crew, work is being carried out efficiently while maintaining a high standard of quality and productivity.

Within Midpeninsula Open Space District lands, BurnBot—working in coordination with Denali Tree Service—is conducting roadside clearing and establishing strategic fuel breaks. These efforts are enhancing access and improving overall fuel management objectives across the area.

East Branch Update:

The East Branch component of the Forest Health II grant is now moving into the implementation phase. A request for bids has recently been issued, with a projected project start date of April 2026.

The scope of work will encompass 116 treatment acres located on both San Jose Water Company property and Midpeninsula Open Space District lands. The map below outlines the designated project areas and provides a visual reference for the planned work locations.

To implement forest health treatments on approximately 1778 acres of strategically identified areas, The Santa Clara County Firesafe Council has partnered with the San Jose Water Company, Santa Clara County Parks, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District and smaller, private landowners, to form the Los Gatos Creek Watershed Collaboration.

The Los Gatos Creek Watershed Collaborative Forest Health Grant is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment — particularly in disadvantaged communities.

Santa Clara County FireSafe Council 

A local 501(c) non-profit organization

Info@SCCFireSafe.org

408-975-9591 

www.sccfiresafe.org

Tax ID Number: EIN 56-2368255