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.
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
Heads up Nevada County residents in Truckee! Free residential green waste disposal is coming to the Truckee Rodeo Grounds – on May 20, June 4, and June 17, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Learn More
Nevada County is asking residents what is most important to them around emergency preparedness and prioritizing critical resources required to prevent and respond to disasters. Data will also be used to better analyze gaps in resources and services. Learn More
Using Ladris’ Evacuation Pre-Planner tool, Nevada County’s emergency managers and law enforcement personnel can now simulate detailed models for evacuations, traffic times, and road congestion scenarios for wildfires or other disasters. Learn More
Fire trucks, police cars and helicopters - oh my! Free family fun is to be had at the Health, Safety, and Fire Preparedness Carnival this Saturday, May 7th 11 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The Rood Center. Learn More
Nevada County offers free storm-related green waste disposal at 12625 Brunswick Rd, Grass Valley on March 11-13, March 25- 27, and April 8-10 from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. Learn More
The County is opening two shelters in Nevada City at the Madelyn Helling Library Community Room and the lower level of the Nevada City Veterans Hall. The shelters open at 4:30 p.m. and will close at 7:30 a.m. Learn More
The National Weather Service Sacramento is predicting rain over the next week. To prepare, free sand and sandbags are available for pickup at four convenient locations. Learn More
CAL FIRE in Nevada, Yuba, and Placer Counties has lifted the burn suspension. Cooler temperatures and winter weather mean open burning is a tool residents in unincorporated Nevada County may use to get rid of green waste. Learn More
Fire Weather Watch late Sunday Night into Tuesday evening for the Delta and much of the Valley, the Coastal Range, and the Northern Sierra up to 5500 feet. For the Sierra, the strongest winds are expected Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning. Read on...
Nevada County received two grants to help low-income residents and citizens living with disabilities pay for defensible space. Residents interested in participating in the program may apply online today! Read on...
On September 28, the Nevada County Board of Supervisors passed two resolutions accepting grant funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The two programs will provide critical defensible space assistance. Read on...
Nevada County Transportation Commission in coordination with Caltrans District 3 has been working to develop the next phase of improvements on Highway 49 between La Barr Meadows Road and the McKnight Way interchange. Read on...
CAL FIRE recently announced that the County of Nevada Office of Emergency Services received grant funding to complete the South County Shaded Fuel Break. Read on...
Placer and Nevada counties will continue their support for residents impacted by the River Fire with opportunities in both counties to connect with FEMA, CalOES and county representatives and apply for assistance. Read on...
No cost PPE (masks and hand sanitizer) is available at locations across Nevada County for small businesses and non-profits while supplies last. Read on...
Red Flag Warning is now in effect from 1 pm today through 8 pm Wednesday for the mountains & portions of the Sacramento Valley due to gusty winds & extremely dry conditions. Read on...
All evacuations for the River Fire have been lifted in Nevada County and are reflected in evacuation maps for Nevada County at www.ReadyNevadaCounty.org/Zonehaven. Read on...
Nevada County Sheriff’s Office uses multiple communication tools to create a layered and redundant system to alert residents when a wildfire poses a serious potential threat to life and property. Read on...
With most mandatory evacuations now lifted for the River Fire, Placer and Nevada counties will continue their support for impacted residents with a joint local assistance center - a one-stop-shop for recovery and rebuilding information and resources. Read on...
Nevada County is hosting a re-entry center today. The purpose of this event is to inform residents of damages to their property and to issue a pass that will allow homeowners to return to their properties in areas still closed to the public. Read on...
With over 4000 people evacuated, 2600 acres burned, and 76 structures destroyed, the River Fire is only 15% contained as of Thursday evening. The Nevada County Relief Fund established the “River Fire Fund” today to accept donations. Read on...
Gusty wind, very low humidity, and extremely dry fuels combine to bring critical fire weather conditions this afternoon throughThursday evening. Read on...
This summer, OES will be at the Nevada City First Friday Artwalk, the Grass Valley Thursday Night Market, and the Nevada County Fair to help residents prepare for wildfire. While out on the town or on Treat Street, stop by the OES booth to learn more. Read on...
As fires like the Dixie and Tamarack burn nearby, a community conversation around wildfire, evacuation and emergency alert notifications has resurfaced. Residents are asking, ‘how will I know if I need to evacuate?’ Read on...
National Weather Service Sacramento has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for portions of Nevada County Friday at noon through Monday evening. Cooling Centers will open at the Grass Valley & Penn Valley libraries from 11am - 7pm on Saturday & Sunday. Read on...
Grass Valley- CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit in cooperation with Nevada County and the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County began work on County of Nevada property as part of the Ponderosa West Grass Valley Defense Zone Project. Read on...
Considering the weather prediction and widespread power outages, Nevada County and Sierra Roots are activating the Extreme Weather Shelter Protocol for tonight and tomorrow, Tuesday and Wednesday nights, with COVID-19 safety measures in place. Learn More
Considering the weather prediction and widespread power outages, Nevada County and Sierra Roots are activating the Extreme Weather Shelter Protocol through Saturday for the nights of December 30th, December 31st and January 1st. Learn More
Panelists from the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, County Emergency Operations Center, CAL FIRE, and PG&E will share the latest updates on the storm’s impact, emergency response efforts to date and available resources and services. Learn More
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Progress Report
View our most recent quarterly report to see our progress on this Board objective.
