Nevada City, Calif. — October 21, 2026 — The City of Nevada City invites community members to attend a Town Hall Meeting on Monday, October 26, 2026, at the Miners Foundry Cultural Center to learn about the upcoming implementation of the Deer Creek Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project. The project will focus on reducing hazardous vegetation, improving forest health, and strengthening wildfire resilience within the southside of the Deer Creek Canyon.

Through a partnership with the Nevada County Office of Emergency Services (OES) and funding provided by the United States Forest Service, Tahoe National Forest, the City is moving forward with approximately 174 acres of mechanical fuels treatment along the southern side of Deer Creek. This work represents a significant implementation phase of a larger, long-term effort to reduce wildfire risk in one of the most vulnerable areas surrounding Nevada City.

Community Town Hall Meeting Date: Monday, October 26, 2026

Time: 6:00pm

Location: Miners Foundry Cultural Center, 325 Spring Street, Nevada City, CA 95959

During the Town Hall, City and County Staff will present an overview of the project, including planned treatment areas, vegetation management methods, anticipated timelines, environmental protections, and what nearby residents can expect during implementation. There will also be a brief overview of other projects occurring in the greater canyon region. Community members will have an opportunity to ask questions, provide input, and engage directly with those involved in the project.

Protecting Nevada City and the Deer Creek Canyon

The Deer Creek Canyon was identified in the 2025 Nevada County and City Community Wildfire Protection Plans as one of the most hazardous areas in Nevada County, based on its climate, topography, and vegetation conditions.

The entirety of the Deer Creek Hazardous Fuels Treatment Project encompasses nearly 350 acres along the south side of Deer Creek. This heavily forested area includes Deer Creek and Seven Hills Schools, the St. Canice Center, Nevada City Tech Center, Nevada City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, numerous residences, businesses, and other essential infrastructure.

Moving from Planning to Implementation

The City began developing this project through a $111,665 planning grant from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, which supported the development of a comprehensive fire hazard assessment, fuels treatment prescription, and environmental review for the Deer Creek Southside area.

Building upon this planning effort, Nevada County OES partnered with the City to secure federal funding through the United States Forest Service, Tahoe National Forest.

The current phase will focus on approximately 174 acres of mechanical fuels treatment on larger, privately owned parcels in the western portion of the project area. The City and County have contracted to conduct the work, which will primarily consist of mastication, a process that mechanically reduces smaller trees, brush, and ladder fuels while retaining larger, healthy trees. The rest of the project will be completed by the Nevada City fire fuels crew that is funded through Measure C 2024.

Work is anticipated to begin in October 2026 and continue through February 2027, depending on weather and site conditions. A Registered Professional Forester will oversee implementation to ensure compliance with the approved treatment prescription and environmental protection measures.

What Residents Can Expect

Residents and visitors near the project area may notice increased forestry equipment activity and temporary noise associated with mechanical vegetation management.

The Deer Creek Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project has consistently been identified as a high priority by the City’s Fire Safety Advisory Committee and represents a major investment in long-term community wildfire resilience.

The City strongly encourages residents, particularly those living in or near the project area, to attend the October 26 Town Hall to understand what to expect during implementation and participate in the discussion. More information can be found at nevadacityca.gov/Wildfire.

The City of Nevada City is on social media, @NevadaCityCA on Facebook, Instagram and Nextdoor.