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. Prepare Now for Severe Winter Weather

    Prepare Now for Severe Winter Weather

    The past two winters have shown us just how important it is to be prepared for severe weather. Extended power outages and road closures mean planning for food, water, heat, medicine, and fuel well in advance. Learn More
  2. Winter-Storm-Hazardous-Vegetation-Cleanup-Project

    Managing Winter Storm Impacts for Wildfire Resilience in Nevada County

    Nevada County & CAL FIRE are partnering to make neighborhoods safer after this year's severe winter weather. Funding has been used to provide 54 green waste bins and relief to 8 highly impacted communities, in addition to clearing evacuation routes. Learn More
  3. MicrosoftTeams-image (7)

    Emergency Operations Center and Nevada County Roads Crew Honored as Teams of the Year

    Two teams were honored for their outstanding response to the February winter storms. Learn More
  4. FEMA Assistance for Storm Damage to Wells and Septic Systems

    FEMA Assistance Available for Eligible Disaster-damaged Wells and Septic Systems

    Residents who lost access to water through their private wells or had damage to their septic system caused by the severe winter storms may be eligible for financial assistance under FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program. Learn More
  5. Sierra Foothills Forest Resilience Project

    Wildfire Restoration Funding Secured for Jones Bar and Lobo Fire Footprint

    The Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) voted to grant $2,396,000 to Sierra Streams Institute (SSI) and the County of Nevada Office of Emergency Services (OES) to implement the Sierra Foothills Forest Resilience Project. Learn More
  6. Truckee fire meeting

    Wildfire Planning Efforts Ramp Up in Truckee

    Nevada County’s Office of Emergency Services is working to have an active presence in east County with an eye toward supporting collaboration and partnership. Learn More
  7. Nevada County CWPP Community Engagement

    Nevada County to Host Community Wildfire Protection Plan Lunch & Learns

    The Nevada County Office of Emergency Services is hosting 4 virtual Community Wildfire Protection Plan Lunch & Learns this month and the public is invited to join! The Lunch & Learns will be the 1st set of community workshops that support the CWPP update. Learn More
  8. Woodpecker Ravine Grass Valley Shaded Fuel Break

    Nevada County Secures $3.9 Million for Fuels Reduction in Woodpecker Ravine

    The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) has awarded the County of Nevada Office of Emergency Services (OES) with $3,914,536 to implement Phase II of the Woodpecker Ravine Shaded Fuel Break. Learn More
  9. 2023 NACo Achievement Award Best in Category

    Nevada County Office of Emergency Services Receives 2023 NACo Achievement Award: Best in Category

    Nevada County Office of Emergency Services receives 2023 NACo Achievement Award: Best in Category for the "Firewise Communities Microgrant Program." The program was designed to support fuels reduction on private property after the 2022 snow storms. Learn More
  10. FEMA Local Assistance Center

    Deadline to Access Local Assistance for 2023 Winter Storms Extended

    The deadline for Nevada County residents to apply for FEMA assistance for the February 2023 Winter Storms has been extended to September 1. Learn More
  11. Nevada County Safe 4th of July Holiday No Fireworks

    Happy 4th of July!

    Getting ready to celebrate the 4th of July? A friendly reminder before the holiday weekend that all types of fireworks are illegal in Nevada County. Learn More
  12. South Yuba River Burn Ban

    South Yuba River Corridor Burn Ban in Effect

    The South Yuba River Corridor Burn Ban takes effect for the 2023 fire season beginning at 8:00am on Monday, June 26, 2023. Learn More
  13. CAL FIRE NEU Burn Suspension Press Release

    CAL FIRE Suspends Burn Permits in Nevada, Yuba, Placer and Sierra Counties

    CAL FIRE to suspend all burn permits for outdoor residential burning within the State Responsibility Area of Nevada, Yuba, Placer and Sierra Counties. The suspension takes effect June 26, 2023 and bans all residential outdoor burning of landscape debris. Learn More
  14. Grass Valley Thursday Night Market Ready Nevada County 250x250

    Help Define Wildfire Resilience—Take the Community Wildfire Protection Plan Survey

    Now through August 31st, the County of Nevada Office of Emergency Services is collecting resident feedback through the Community Wildfire Protection Plan Survey. Learn More
  15. Nevada County Firewise Communities We Are the Solution Grass Valley 250x250

    Nevada County Firewise Communities: We Are the Solution

    Did you know Nevada County now has more Firewise USA® Communities than any other county in the nation? Here, wildfire preparedness isn't just a catchphrase. To us, it's a way of life. Learn More
  16. CWPP Survey

    Take Nevada County’s Wildfire Planning Survey through August 31st

    Nevada County is investing substantial grant funding in three critical wildfire and multi-hazard strategic plans. We want to hear from you. Take the Community Wildfire Protection Plan survey today! Learn More
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. 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
  20. 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
  21. 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...
  22. 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
  23. 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
  24. 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
  25. 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
  26. 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
  27. 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
  28. 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
  29. 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

Progress Report

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