Emergency Preparedness

Board Objective

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.

Learn More & Get Involved

Visit Ready Nevada County to learn more about all-hazards planning.

Follow the Office of Emergency Services on social media for updates:

  1. Nevada County Treats Hazardous Roadside Vegetation 1

    Nevada County Secures $1.7 Million to Treat Evacuation Routes

    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
  2. Firewise Together Fire Safe Council of Nevada County

    Nevada County Recognizes Firewise Together Fundraiser: A Benefit for Firewise Communities

    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
  3. Yuba Watershed Institute BLM Conservation Partner of the Year

    Yuba Watershed Institute Named Bureau of Land Management’s Conservation Partner of the Year

    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
  4. Elemental Reimagine Wildfire Film Screening Nevada Theatre

    Elemental Documentary Film Screening and Q&A May 8 at 7pm

    “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
  5. Residential Burn Pile Permit Required Nevada County

    CAL FIRE Burn Permits Required MAY 1st

    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...
  6. South Yuba River Unsafe to Swim Spring 2023

    Historic Winter Makes for Dangerous River Conditions

    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
  7. Nevada County Childrens Health and Safety Carnival

    Save the Date: Health, Safety, and Fire Preparedness Carnival

    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
  8. Green background with dates for upcoming green waste events

    Free Residential Green Waste Disposal Returns to Nevada County

    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
  9. Dry undergrowth on the South Yuba Rim frames the mountains in the background

    Over $1.5 Million Granted for Forest Resilience Projects in Nevada County

    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
  10. A yellow tape measure pulled out to 6 inches sits atop blueprint. Text that reads: Building Permit

    Nevada County Provides Priority Permitting and Fee Waiver for Winter Storm Damage

    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
  11. Image of a one dimension wooden cutout of a house with a calculator in the background

    Property Tax Relief as a Result of Storm Damage

    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
  12. Storm Damage Data - NewsFlash

    Take Nevada County’s Storm Damage Survey to Share Damage and Needs Data

    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
  13. Snow Load Advisory - NewsFlash

    Snow Load Advisory: Reminder to Monitor Structures for Dangerous Snow Loads

    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
  14. Health Net Providing Special Assistance to Members Affected by Winter Storms

    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
  15. PG&E crews use snowshoes to reach areas inaccessible to bucket trucks to repair damage.

    PG&E: Working to Restore as Many Customers as Possible Ahead of Next Storm

    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
  16. MicrosoftTeams-image (89)

    Nevada County Opens Warming Center at Grass Valley Veterans Memorial Building

    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
  17. Forest_NewsFlash

    Nevada County Emergency Services Drives Three New Wildfire Community Defense Zones Forward

    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
  18. A white car drives through a narrow road surrounded by dense brush

    Nevada County Awarded Funding for Woodpecker Ravine Shaded Fuel Break

    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
  19. CodeRED Emergency Alert Test - NewsFlash

    Countywide Test of Emergency Alert Notification System on February 1, 2023

    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
  20. RNC Hazardous Vegetation Ordinance Survey - NewsFlash

    Provide Your Feedback: Nevada County OES Launches Survey on Hazardous Vegetation Ordinance

    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

Progress Report

View our most recent quarterly report to see our progress on this Board objective.