Lead the community in all-hazards planning, preparedness, response, and recovery with a focus on wildfire. Do this by focusing on improving countywide evacuation safety, continuing to strengthen early alert and warning systems, creating more defensible space around properties and roadways, engaging residents in emergency preparedness and fire-safe land stewardship, leading the community in recovery from Federally declared disasters, and by mitigating the impact of Public Safety Power Shutoff events.
The Challenge
Nevada County is at risk for catastrophic wildfire and our mid-elevation west-slope location also puts us at risk for winter storms, flooding, and extreme heat and cold events.
92% of Nevada County residents live in high to very high fire severity zones.
560 miles of County roads and over 1,500 miles of private roads are used by residents to get to and from residences.
CAL FIRE has identified 10 priority projects in Nevada County that need to be implemented and maintained to defend our communities.
County Initiatives
Increase evacuation safety programs county-wide to save lives.
Improve county-wide early warning systems and emergency communications.
Reduce fire severity and intensity through fuels management by increasing defensible space, affordable green waste disposal, and fuel break implementation.
Provide a coordinated approach to wildfire preparedness through advocacy, community engagement, and project implementation.
Plan and train for, respond to, and recover from all hazards, with a specific emphasis on wildfires.
At Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors’ meeting, Nevada County’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) brought forward several wildfire planning and mitigation projects for approval, including three new large-scale community defense zones. Learn More
The purpose of the measure would be to save lives, reduce the threat of wildfires, and improve all-hazards disaster readiness and evacuation safety. Learn More
The Micro-Grant program will make twenty-six grants of $3600 each available for projects that increase defensible space around homes, remove hazardous vegetation from private lands, or clear evacuation routes on private roadways this summer. Learn More
The $2.1 million award from CAL FIRE will support selective thinning in an area directly above the River Fire burn scar and flanked by two critical evacuation corridors – State Highway 49 to the east and State Highway 174 to the north. Learn More
Heads up Nevada County residents in Truckee! Free residential green waste disposal is coming to the Truckee Rodeo Grounds – on May 20, June 4, and June 17, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Learn More
Nevada County is asking residents what is most important to them around emergency preparedness and prioritizing critical resources required to prevent and respond to disasters. Data will also be used to better analyze gaps in resources and services. Learn More
Using Ladris’ Evacuation Pre-Planner tool, Nevada County’s emergency managers and law enforcement personnel can now simulate detailed models for evacuations, traffic times, and road congestion scenarios for wildfires or other disasters. Learn More
Fire trucks, police cars and helicopters - oh my! Free family fun is to be had at the Health, Safety, and Fire Preparedness Carnival this Saturday, May 7th 11 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The Rood Center. Learn More
Nevada County offers free storm-related green waste disposal at 12625 Brunswick Rd, Grass Valley on March 11-13, March 25- 27, and April 8-10 from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. Learn More
The County is opening two shelters in Nevada City at the Madelyn Helling Library Community Room and the lower level of the Nevada City Veterans Hall. The shelters open at 4:30 p.m. and will close at 7:30 a.m. Learn More
The National Weather Service Sacramento is predicting rain over the next week. To prepare, free sand and sandbags are available for pickup at four convenient locations. Learn More
CAL FIRE in Nevada, Yuba, and Placer Counties has lifted the burn suspension. Cooler temperatures and winter weather mean open burning is a tool residents in unincorporated Nevada County may use to get rid of green waste. Learn More
Fire Weather Watch late Sunday Night into Tuesday evening for the Delta and much of the Valley, the Coastal Range, and the Northern Sierra up to 5500 feet. For the Sierra, the strongest winds are expected Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning. Read on...
Nevada County received two grants to help low-income residents and citizens living with disabilities pay for defensible space. Residents interested in participating in the program may apply online today! Read on...
Considering the weather prediction and widespread power outages, Nevada County and Sierra Roots are activating the Extreme Weather Shelter Protocol for tonight and tomorrow, Tuesday and Wednesday nights, with COVID-19 safety measures in place. Learn More
Considering the weather prediction and widespread power outages, Nevada County and Sierra Roots are activating the Extreme Weather Shelter Protocol through Saturday for the nights of December 30th, December 31st and January 1st. Learn More
Panelists from the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, County Emergency Operations Center, CAL FIRE, and PG&E will share the latest updates on the storm’s impact, emergency response efforts to date and available resources and services. Learn More
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Progress Report
View our most recent quarterly report to see our progress on this Board objective.
