National Weather Service Sacramento has issued Nevada County’s first Red Flag Warning for critical fire weather this Thursday and Friday. The Red Flag Warning is issued due to high winds and low humidity, conditions that can cause easy fire starts, and the potential for rapid fire spread.
No PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) event is currently planned during the upcoming Red Flag Warning event. As we head into peak fire season, learn more about how you can prepare in advance of any PSPS events at www.ReadyNevadaCounty.org/PowerOutages.
Although the Red Flag Warning area only impacts a portion of Nevada County, critical fire weather doesn’t stop at a line on a map. Be fire safe by following these reminders and learn more at www.ReadyNevadaCounty.org.
Take Precautions During Red Flag Warnings
- Park your vehicle towards the roadway and load your Go Bag.
- Know how to open your garage if power is unavailable.
- Be sure you have a full tank of gas.
- Keep pets nearby and have a plan to transport large animals.
- Always check towing equipment and eliminate dragging hazards.
- Do not use equipment outdoors that may create a spark.
- Never burn.
- Have enough medication, water, and food to last at least one week.
- Have lighting, a phone, radio, and batteries.
- Stay in touch with your 5 Emergency Allies.
- If you do not have access to backup power, consider keeping your food in a cooler.
Know When to Go
In the event of a wildfire or an emergency, law enforcement will issue evacuation warnings or evacuation orders for impacted areas. These notices are issued by evacuation zone, and each will have an evacuation status. Zones and emergency alerts work together to save time when minutes count.
Sign Up for CodeRED Emergency Alerts
CodeRED and Nixle are opt-in emergency alert systems. CodeRED is used countywide by the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, the Office of Emergency Services, and the Truckee Police Department. Residents may register to receive emergency alerts by text, email, landline, cell phone, and TTY at ReadyNevadaCounty.org/emergencyalerts. (Please note, not every incident will require an alert.)
Pro-tip: Add CodeRED emergency alerts as a contact in your phone so you don’t accidentally ignore the call as spam. CodeRED calls will originate from (866) 419-5000 or (855) 969-4636.
Know Your Zone
In order to understand whether your residence is under an evacuation warning or order, you need to know your zone name.
- Go to community.zonehaven.com
- Enter your address into the search bar
- Find your zone in the pop-up window and write it down
Evacuation Status Levels
Evacuation Order: An immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to leave now. The area is lawfully closed to public access.
Evacuation Warning: A potential threat to life and/or property. Those who require additional time to evacuate and those with pets and livestock should leave now.
Hi-Lo Evacuation Siren
Law enforcement has installed Hi-Lo sirens on patrol cars and will use them when evacuations have been ordered. The siren means one thing only, evacuate.
Evacuation Tags
Tags are available at fire and police stations, the Sheriff’s Office, and libraries throughout the county. If evacuating, place a tag someplace visible from the roadway. These tags will help first responders quickly see who has already evacuated, providing more time to assist those who have not.
