How The Toll Roads Are Helping Keep Orange County Fire-Safe 

Wildfire season in Southern California is no longer a matter of if; it’s a matter of when.  

That’s why the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA), operator of the 73, 133, 241, and 261 Toll Roads, has made fire prevention a top priority both on and off the road.  

TCA has taken major steps to reduce wildfire risk along its roadways. This includes landscaping with drought-tolerant, fire-resistant plants approved by the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), expanding hardscaped areas to limit fuel sources and maintaining 100-foot defensible spaces around toll plaza buildings. 

In addition, after wildfires damaged several wildlife jump-out ramps along the 241 Toll Roads, TCA partnered with Caltrans to rebuild and reinforce them with steel and concrete to better withstand future fires. Existing wooden jump-out ramp structures that were not damaged by the fire received an additional protective concrete covering to enhance their resistance to wildfire events.  

And TCA’s efforts don’t stop at the roadside. In a unique approach to land management, TCA has pioneered a cattle grazing program at one of its conservation sites. At the 23.2-acre Live Oak Plaza site in Trabuco Canyon, cattle graze two to three times a year to naturally reduce dry brush and vegetation, an eco-friendly alternative that lowers fire risk, supports habitat health and preserves a piece of Orange County’s rancher heritage.  

We are grateful for our partnership with Caltrans, OCFA, Natural Communities Coalition (NCC) and the County of Orange Area Safety Team (COAST), among others, as we work together to protect our communities.  

If you spot overgrown brush along any state highway, including The Toll Roads, you can report it directly to Caltrans through their Customer Service Request portal. And for tips on how to protect your home and family during wildfire season, check out OCFA’s Ready, Set, Go! program.