Ready for Fire Season

May 2, 2019 – On March 6th, Nevada County residents were invited to the Nevada Theatre to watch “Fire and Forest Health: Your Tahoe National Forest“ alongside “Wilder than Wild: Fire, Forest and the Future.” After the films, the community was invited to join in a conversation around the new reality of living with fire […]

NEVADA CITY, Calif. March 29, 2019 –  Ignition during a wildfire is the result of: Embers (also called firebrands) Radiant heat Direct flame contact During the recent catastrophic wildfires, 90% of homes and buildings were first ignited by embers, not the actual fire. Embers are carried on winds ahead of a fire, eventually causing a fire to […]

NEVADA CITY, Calif. March 11, 2019 – Wood stoves are still a popular heating source in the area. Burning safely not only reduces health risks but also reduces the chance of chimney fires. The Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District provides these three Burn Wise Tips: 1. Save money and time. Burn only dry, seasoned […]

NEVADA CITY, Calif. March 4, 2019 – Your neighborhood, a familiar landscape you see every day. How well do you know it and what can you do to improve it? Knowing your neighborhood Next time when you sit in the passenger seat, instead of looking at the road, look up. Are trees leaning over the […]

NEVADA CITY, Calif. February 25, 2019 – In case of an evacuation, you’ll likely drive to an evacuation shelter or your predetermined evacuation location. Getting there safely is the goal. Driving through smoke or even flames on the roadside, coupled with the adrenaline rush of having to get to safety is not your everyday commute. […]

February 18, 2019 – Your emergency plan and preparedness includes everyone in your household and your pets – of course, they are part of the family. The Pet Emergency Plan Have your pet microchipped and keep the information up to date, especially your phone number. If possible, add contact info for an emergency contact outside […]

NEVADA CITY, Calif. February 11, 2019 – As a parent you want to keep your kids safe from any harm, preparing for wildfire is part of protecting them. Talk to them about the family emergency plan and enlist their help if possible. Let’s face it, many kids know more about apps and texting than their […]

NEVADA CITY, Calif. February 4, 2019 – Hopefully you’ll never have to hear the words “You have to evacuate. Go now.” But every year the likelihood of it happening is increasing, at an increased pace with peak fire season extending longer than ever before. Living in the Wildland Urban Interface or Intermix (WUI) increases the […]

NEVADA CITY, Calif. January 28, 2019 – The Family Emergency Plan is an important document in preparing for any type of emergency and evacuation. It will be the basis of your personal “What If” and “How Do We” action plan. During a large wildfire incident if you are asked to evacuate, how do you reassemble […]

NEVADA CITY, Calif. January 21, 2019 – Burn piles are a popular and cost-effective way of disposing of brush and tree limbs. Alternatives like chipping, composting, and green waste disposal are not always practical or available. As a reminder, burning is always prohibited in the city limits of Grass Valley and Nevada City. A burn permit […]

NEVADA CITY, Calif. January 14, 2019 – Your driveway will be your departure point in case of an evacuation. Let’s make sure you get out of the starting blocks safely. All new construction “shall be served by a driveway,” per Nevada County’s building code. Does your existing driveway have the required 10 ft minimum width, […]

NEVADA CITY, Calif. January 7, 2019 – Brush clearing is the gift that keeps on giving, there is always more to cut. Winter is a great time to tackle this fuel reduction project,  fewer leaves and softer soil make some of the work easier. Removing undergrowth is a critical step in making your property and […]

NEVADA CITY, Calif. December 31, 2018 – “Out with the old – safely” is the theme for this week’s readiness story. Who doesn’t have an almost empty can of paint, motor oil, various cleaners and solvents or a stack of old batteries in a shed or garage? Now is as good a time as any […]

NEVADA CITY, Calif. December 24, 2018 – The majority of Nevada County homes is located in either a High Fire Danger Zone or in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI.)  The building code applicable to homes in these areas built after 2008 is known as the Chapter 7A of the California Building Code. In case of […]

NEVADA CITY, Calif. December 17, 2018 – In case of an emergency, the first step is to be aware of the situation. Nevada County uses CodeRED to notify residents of an emergency in their neighborhood via phone, email and text alerts. Situational awareness is part of your personal responsibility This mass notification system is opt-in, […]

Nevada City, Calif. December 10, 2018 – This is the first of twenty-five weekly stories to help Nevada County residents prepare for the next high fire season. Each week will be devoted to one aspect of wildfire preparedness and prevention. Take an inventory – inside and out Start inside – and update regularly A home […]

NEVADA CITY, Calif. December 10, 2018 – After an extremely well-attended Town Hall in Nevada County, it’s time to prepare for the next peak wildfire season. The NorthOps Predictive Services overall outlook from December-March is for near to slightly above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation, although there are smaller month-to-month differences like the wet […]