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 burn suspension in Nevada, Yuba, Placer and Sierra Counties has been lifted. CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit Chief Brian Estes has formally canceled the burn suspension and advises residents that they may resume burning on permissible burn days. Learn More
How do you reduce wildfire risk and increase holiday cheer? By obtaining a Christmas Tree Permit of course! Removal of small diameter trees from selected areas reduces wildfire risk by reducing over-growth, particularly among firs. Learn More
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
“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
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...
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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Progress Report
View our most recent quarterly report to see our progress on this Board objective.
