Utilities Wildfire Mitigation

The City of Palo Alto Utilities prepares and submits a Wildfire Mitigation Plan annually to the California Wildfire Safety Advisory Board on or before July 1 of that calendar year, as required by state law. Updates to the Plan are required each year with a comprehensive revision of the plan every three years. Different from general wildfire prevention plans, this Plan outlines activities by CPAU and other city departments to mitigate the threat of wildfires that specifically could be ignited by electrical lines and equipment. Ongoing prevention methods include increased vegetation management and prioritized maintenance in the Foothills area, physical inspections, and undergrounding electrical lines in the Foothills area. Our past and current Plans are linked below for more information:

2024 Plan(PDF, 1MB)

2023 Plan revision(PDF, 6MB) and 2023 independent evaluation(PDF, 2MB)

2022 Plan update

2021 Plan update and corresponding staff report

2020 Plan and its 2020 independent evaluation 

This map is intended to assist you in planning to Get Set and Go. Know ahead of time the various evacuation routes from your property, and if you can’t evacuate, know the location of the nearest safety zone.

Leave as soon as evacuation is recommended by fire officials. Don’t wait to be ordered by authorities to leave. In an intense wildfire, they may not have time to knock on every door. If you are advised to leave, don’t hesitate!

Know ahead of time how you're going to evacuate. Understand ALL the routes in and out of your neighborhood. If you can't leave using an evacuation route, know the nearest Safety Zone, an area relatively free from flammable vegetation or materials that provides refuge from a fire. The above planning map can be used to help your plan.

Go Here to Learn How to Prepare

While in your vehicle

• Park your vehicle in an area clear of vegetation.
• Turn off the heater and air conditioner.
• Close all vehicle windows and air vents.
• Cover yourself with a wool or cotton blanket or jacket. 
• Lie on vehicle floor.
• Call 9-1-1 and give your location.

While on foot

• Go to an area clear of vegetation, a ditch or depression on level ground if possible.
• Lie face down and cover up your body.
• Call 9-1-1 and give your location. 

 While in your home

• Keep your family together.
• Call 9-1-1 and give your location. 
• Fill sinks and tubs with cold water.
• Keep doors and windows closed, but unlocked. 
• Stay inside your house. 
• Stay away from outside walls and windows.
• Keep doors and windows closed, but unlocked.

Connect with us or review our resources to learn more about utility infrastructure safety, wildfire prevention, emergency preparation and disaster response. We encourage residents and businesses to prepare themselves at the following sites: 

• City of Palo Alto Preparedness page
• City of Palo Alto Utilities Safety page

Other Preparedness Tips

• Have a personal safety plan in place for every member of your household, including pets.
• Plan for any medical needs, such as medications that need to be refrigerated, or devices that require power.
• Build or restock your emergency supply kit, including food, water, flashlights, a radio, fresh batteries, first aid supplies and cash.
• If you own a backup generator, ensure it is ready to safely operate.
• Sign up to receive AlertSCC notifications at alertscc.org
• In the event of an emergency, dial 9-1-1.
• For non-emergency public safety issues, call (650) 329-2413.

CPAU cannot guarantee continuous power for any given length of time if there is a large power outage, so it is important for residents and businesses to be prepared. Large power outages could potentially last for several or more days. Staff are evaluating available resources to supply temporary power to critical facilities in the event of a large power outage.

Prepare for emergencies and power outages through utilizing resources at cityofpaloalto.org/preparedness or contact us to request a copy of our Utilities Safety and Emergency Preparedness brochure. 

• Wildfire Prevention – Vegetation management, electric line inspections, prioritized maintenance, tree trimming & inspection to prevent contact with electric lines.
• Early Warning Notification – The City will aim to send customer alerts if anticipating a potential PSPS.
• Ongoing Updates – Through social media, email, phone call, text, website, or AlertSCC.
• Safety Inspections – If a PSPS is necessary, CPAU will inspect the lines in affected areas after extreme weather has passed before power is safely restored.
• Power Restoration – Power outages could last multiple days depending on weather severity and other factors. Future activities – Rebuilding, replacing, rerouting overhead lines & poles; refining construction practices; improving communication systems; coordinating with other utilities.