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.
Today, the Nevada County Board of Supervisors approved acceptance of $1.7 million of CAL FIRE and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant funding to reduce hazardous fuels along evacuation routes in the wildland urban interface. Learn More
Firesafe Council of Nevada County is hosting the Firewise Together Fundraiser a benefit for Firewise Communities from 1:00pm-9:00pm, Saturday, June 3, 2023 at Lake Wildwood’s Commodore Park. Learn More
The Bureau of Land Management named the Yuba Watershed Institute their Conservation Partner of the Year for 2023. Collaboration between the two organizations has been a force multiplier increasing the impact that either could have achieved individually. Learn More
“Elemental: Reimagine Wildfire,” a powerful film that aims to replace fire myths with science, screens this Monday, May 8 at 7 pm at the Nevada Theatre in Nevada City. Following the film will be a panel discussion moderated by County of Nevada OES staff. Learn More
The CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer unit announced effective Monday, May 1, 2023, at 8:00 am all residential pile burning will require a permit in Nevada, Yuba, Placer and Sierra Counties. Burn permits must now be obtained online at burnpermit.fire.ca.gov. Additional Info...
After a long winter which brought one of the largest snowpacks on record, rising temperatures are delivering historic volumes of snowmelt to California’s rivers. The sun is finally out, but that doesn’t mean it is time to hit the river. Learn More
Don't miss the Health, Safety & Fire Preparedness Carnival May 6th, 11AM-4PM. Free lunch will be served alongside face-painting, bubbles, & balloons. With attractions like a giant slide, games, and giveaways, this event is fun for the whole family! Learn More
The Fire Safe Council of Nevada County, in partnership with the Office of Emergency Services and CAL FIRE, are hosting FREE self-service green waste disposal, and wood chip pick-up April through June. Learn More
Three local agencies in Nevada County have been awarded grant funding from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy for forest resilience projects that will reduce wildfire risk and restore forest health in the region. Learn More
Residents and business owners with storm damage repairs in unincorporated Nevada County will receive priority permitting and have local fees waived for repair permits through for serious repairs following the February 24, 2023, winter storm. Learn More
With a state and local emergency proclamation in place because of recent storm damage, qualified property owners in Nevada County might be entitled to property tax relief. Learn More
Residents and businesses can help report storm damage like down trees on their property or into structures, propane shortages, internet and phone outages, and dangerous snow loads that may threaten their building’s structural integrity. Learn More
With significant rain in the forecast, it will be possible for the snow to act as a sponge absorbing the moisture and posing additional stress to roof structures. Learn More
Health Net wants to ensure its members have access to essential prescription medications, critical Health Net information and other healthcare services should their services be interrupted. Learn More
PG&E reports crews continue to restore power in hard-hit Nevada County after heavy, low-elevation snowstorms caused power outages to thousands. PG&E continues to restore power using out-of-area crews and contractors to assist so power can be restored. Learn More
A Warming Center is open at the Grass Valley Veterans Memorial Building to provide a space for all Nevada County residents to charge devices and warm up. Nevada County’s Extreme Weather Shelter with Sierra Roots has moved Grass Valley Memorial Building. Learn More
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 $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
Office of Emergency Services urges residents to sign up for CodeRED Emergency Alerts in preparation for a test planned for February 1, 2023. The test is scheduled to run in phases throughout the day by Supervisorial District beginning at 10:00 a.m. Learn More
All residents, property owners, and renters of unincorporated Nevada County are encouraged to provide their input. The Survey will be available through November 28th and takes less than 10 minutes to complete. Learn More
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Progress Report
View our most recent quarterly report to see our progress on this Board objective.
