EVACUATION
Wildfire can move fast in Sleepy Hollow, which is why SHFPD works to make sure residents know how to evacuate safely long before it's ever needed. From our annual community drills to countywide alert systems and evacuation route maintenance, our evacuation programs are designed to answer residents' most common questions and keep our neighborhood ready to leave quickly and safely if the time comes.
Sleepy Hollow Evacuation Drills
The SHFPD held the first major evacuation drill for Sleepy Hollow in 2017. The North West quadrant was the focus of this exercise. The drill was one of the most successful ever held in Marin. Over 200 Sleepy Hollow residents evacuated to the Community Center where they were able to interact with representatives from Fire and other Emergency agencies. The District has held a drill in each subsequent year with varying levels of participation and interest. Sleepy Hollow evacuation maps and general evacuation information can be found at Fire Safe Marin.
Evacuation FAQs
The SHFPD has conducted many evacuation presentations to our residents. Here are some typical concerns and how they are addressed:
Are we in an especially hazardous area for evacuations?
Yes, there is some wildfire risk living in Sleepy Hollow, which is true for many parts of the Ross Valley (and other areas of Marin). However, although Butterfield Rd. is the only major evacuation artery, it is relatively wide by Ross Valley standards and is at the lowest part of the valley, which is less at risk than the hillsides. Residents living on hillsides should evacuate quickly and get down to the roadways at the bottom part of the valley.
There will be traffic during an evacuation — am I safe in my car?
You are much safer in your car than unprotected outside. Hundreds of thousands of people have safely evacuated during wildfires in California and only a handful have perished in their vehicle. These deaths almost always involve unusual circumstances, such as driving into an area of heavy vegetation on fire roads.
Why can't we use our fire roads to evacuate?
All fire professionals warn against using fire roads for evacuation. These roads are for firefighters to access fires in high-risk areas, typically on hills with heavy vegetation. Fire roads lead to the areas most at risk for fire. In addition, during an emergency evacuation, there is great risk of panicked drivers and vehicles not made for dirt roads becoming stuck and creating a dangerous situation for following cars.
What should I do to prepare for evacuation in Sleepy Hollow?
Be prepared. Participate in our annual evacuation drill and review your evacuation plan at least once a year. Be prepared to leave home immediately, especially if you live up on a hillside. Be the first to leave and avoid traffic. Sign up for Alert Marin to receive evacuation notifications. Stay in your car and follow directions from law enforcement personnel. If you are concerned about traffic, you can drive to the open parking lots at San Domenico and Hidden Valley, where you can wait out the fire in the safety of your car.
If you have mobility issues, make a plan which might include staying with friends or relatives during Red Flag weather, which is really the only time we are likely to experience a catastrophic wildfire.
County-Wide Evacuation Support
The Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA) operates a suite of county-wide detection, alert, and evacuation programs funded by Measure C. Key initiatives include county-wide zone-based evacuation mapping (via Emergency Marin), vegetation management along major evacuation routes, the installation of fire detection cameras, and community-wide emergency drills.
MWPA's core evacuation and detection programs encompass several strategic efforts:
Zonehaven Evacuation System
MWPA subscribes to Zonehaven, dividing the county into micro-zones to help officials and residents track evacuation warnings, orders, and traffic scenarios in real-time.
Evacuation Ingress/Egress Assessments
Funds are used to assess road capacities, identify chokepoints, and clear critical corridors to ensure residents can safely leave while emergency vehicles get in.
Evacuation Route Vegetation Management
MWPA actively treats hundreds of miles of coastal, ridge, and fire road evacuation routes (clearing up to 25 feet from road edges) to prevent fire from blocking escape routes.
Fire Camera Coordination
MWPA integrates and expands the ALERT Wildfire camera network to monitor for smoke, providing early detection and situational awareness to dispatchers.
Community Drills & Workshops
Through partner organizations like Fire Safe Marin, MWPA supports neighborhood-level evacuation planning, workshops, and local drills.
