Emergency Egress Routes on Rancho Rd & Galbreth Roads

October 10, 2022
wildfire prevention several volunteers curbed road WCCFSC 20250118

Evacuation Routes

The West Contra Costa Fire Safe Council (WCCFSC) works to ensure every community has a relatively safe evacuation route and an alternative emergency egress route.

Evacuation Route I – Rancho Rd (El Sobrante) / Galbreth Rd (Pinole)

This evacuation route would be an emergency exit, i.e., accessible only in case of a public disaster, to both communities of:
a) El Sobrante residents at Rancho Rd
b) Pinole residents at Galbreth.

A meeting was arranged with Pinole Fire Chief Chris Wynkoop, County Fire Marshal Chris Bachman, and the property owners at the location. Pinole’s City Manager Andrew Murray, two staff members from CCCounty Public Works, and Edgar Moralez from Supervisor Gioia’s office also participated.
The meeting included discussions on gates, the potential path for a fire truck, and the parties responsible for covering the project cost. Both the county and the city of Pinole agreed to share the expenses. A timeline for the project will be provided in a couple of weeks.

Pinole Fire Chief has already removed a portion of the metal gate, allowing residents to push through the wooden fence with their vehicles in case of a public emergency.

Background

The following request by WCCFSC to the County and Pinole Fire Departments provides an overview of the issue:

Request for Public Access Easement

Between Rancho Road in El Sobrante and Galbreth Road in Pinole
Problem Description: An existing 40-foot wide Public Access Easement connecting Rancho Road in El Sobrante and Galbreth Road in Pinole, neighboring Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, is blocked on both ends. This lack of access offers no alternative route for egress in emergencies such as wildfires or mudslides.

Proposed Solution: Residents on both sides request the following resolutions:

1) Remove or alter the wooden fence to allow vehicular passage between Rancho Road and Galbreth Road in emergencies.
2) Clarify the parcel owners’ responsibility to maintain vehicular access to the easement for emergency use at all times.

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