The Nevada County Office of Emergency Services (OES) recently awarded a number of micro-grants to support recognized Firewise communities in reducing wildfire risk. Congratulations to District 1, which submitted many applications for these funds and was ultimately awarded 11 micro-grants.
This unique program was funded through a grant from the Disaster Relief, Recovery and Resilience Fund at the League of California Community Foundations with support from the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation. It was administered by Sierra Business Council.
OES received 76 applications for the program from 35 different Firewise communities located in both western and eastern Nevada County. Projects ranged from defensible space treatment on individual parcels to ambitious roadside vegetation removal by entire neighborhoods. At $3,600 per award, the intent of the Micro-Grants is to provide Firewise communities with a “boost” to support their mighty efforts to create wildfire resilient neighborhoods. The vast majority of grant proposals indicated that the small investment would be matched many times over with in-kind labor provided by residents.
“The need for hazardous vegetation abatement in Nevada County far outpaces the public resources that are currently available. Our Firewise communities are dedicated to closing the gap with their own sweat equity and the County is proud to support them,” said OES Director Craig Griesbach.
In sum, the micro-grants program awarded seven grants for defensible space work, four grants for equipment purchase, and five grants for hazardous vegetation removal. Funding to address evacuation routes was the most pressing need identified by program applicants, and ten grants were awarded in this category. For a full list of grant awardees check out www.nevadacountyca.gov/3595/Firewise-Community-Grants.
Banner Mountain Firewise Community
Burma Firewise Community (2)
Greater Dalmatian-174 Firewise Community
Greenhorn Firewise Community
Harmony Firewise Community
Hyatt-Blue Sage Firewise Community (2)
Jones Bar Firewise Community
Juniper Hill Firewise Community
Kentucky Flat Firewise Community
Lake Vera Round Mountain Firewise Community
Lower Colfax Firewise Community (2)
Montezuma Ridge West Firewise Community
Old Mill Firewise Community
Outer Jackass Flats Firewise Community
Salmon Mine-East Sages Firewise Community
Scott’s Flat Pines Firewise Community
Sherwood Forest Firewise Community
Sierra Hills Firewise Community
Squirrel Creek Ranches Firewise Community (2)
West End Donner Lake Firewise Committee
You Bet Firewise Community (2)
Projects that have been funded will be implemented over the coming months, although some may be delayed so that work can take place after wildfire conditions subside. OES will feature key projects as they unfold at www.facebook.com/NevadaCountyOES/.
For more information on wildfire preparedness in Nevada County, visit: www.nevadacountyca.gov/3453/Ready-Nevada-County
