When Lukas McKenzie, 17, a senior at Nevada Union High School, chats with friends about his internship with Nevada County’s Office of Emergency Services (OES), he uses the conversation as an opportunity to share with them what he’s learned about emergency response.
He recently signed up for Nevada County Alerts, an opt-in emergency alert system that allows residents to receive notifications for up to five addresses. It took less than 60 seconds to register and is based on the same geographic zone people have used for years.
“When you sign up, it takes your address and automatically throws it into the zone you live in, then you’ll get alerts for that zone. It’s not just for wildfires, it’s for all emergencies. You can add in your grandparents, too. If they have to evacuate, you can keep tabs on them, as well,” said McKenzie.
McKenzie knows firsthand how important it is to be prepared to avert disaster. He was in an accident on his mountain bike at the bottom of the Parliament Trail System off of Hwy 20 with no cell service. One person in his party was able to call for help. Now he carries a first aid kit and is working on making a go bag.
When he is at the river with no cell service, he knows there are phone boxes that can be used during emergencies and river ambassadors from the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) stationed at river crossings.
“Now that I’m signed up with Nevada County Alerts, I’ll be more focused on what’s around me and be prepared,” said McKenzie.
This time of year, OES staff wants to remind the community to think through unique situations and be prepared for every scenario. For instance, if children are home during the summer, make sure a plan is shared with caregivers and neighbors. If planning a river day, remember that cell service is limited in river canyons. Pet owners need to remember to pack a go bag and have a kennel ready for furry friends.
Five Steps to Emergency Preparedness
With summer here, local residents like McKenzie are taking five steps to emergency preparedness before they dive into vacations: (1) Sign up for Nevada County Alerts, (2) Know Your Zone, (3) pack your go-bag (and your pets go-bag), (4) Find Your Five (trusted allies who will support you during a disaster) and (5) familiarize yourself with evacuation options.
On May 28, Nevada County conducted a county-wide test of the new Nevada County Alerts emergency notification system, replacing the decommissioned CodeRED platform. People who signed up with CodeRED prior to March 2025 can rest assured that their information has migrated to the new Nevada County Alerts platform. A phone number or email is all that is needed to access the new system to update and verify information. CodeRED no longer exists and residents need to remove the old App from their phones.
Approximately 73,600 residents received the test alert via texts, emails and phone calls, confirming who is registered and receiving alerts from the new platform ahead of wildfire season. Residents can register up to five addresses, including home, work, school and family locations. Those who received a notification and no longer live in the area can easily unsubscribe using the sidebar located on the alert system platform.
Residents who did not receive the test alert, or who need to update their information, are encouraged to visit: ReadyNevadaCounty.org/EmergencyAlerts or call 211 for assistance.
Nevada County Alerts is one of several tools emergency responders urge county residents to familiarize themselves with this summer to stay informed.
Paul Cummings, Program Manager of the Office of Emergency Services oversees the central coordination hub known as the County Emergency Operations Center. It’s his job to ensure the center is ready for the next large-scale emergency.
He works with community partners, first responders, law enforcement, state and local fire, California’s Office of Emergency Services and local nonprofits to keep an ear to the ground and is always thinking ahead to the community’s needs before the next emergency strikes. He wants the community to have a similar level of situational awareness and be dialed in to what’s happening, from the moment they hear the drone of low-flying aircraft overhead.
“It’s good for everyone to stay tuned in during wildfire season and stay vigilant. I encourage people to use all of their senses. If you hear a siren or see or smell smoke, go online and check,” said Cummings.
The County is getting the word out about the many ways a community can come together to be proactive and prepared for wildfire through educational programming at community events, schools, on the radio and in print news. Emergencies are complex and gathering information about local fires from a myriad of sources can help paint a complete picture: from Nevada County Alerts, National Weather Service and local news to social media and flight radar apps.
“There are different ways people can stay informed without focusing on one tool. Nevada County Alerts is a tool, but it’s not a silver bullet,” Cummings said.
Opt-in Nevada County Alerts is one of several ways that residents and frequent visitors can stay informed and part of a broader emergency notification system. Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are part of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System and sent to cellphones based on location with no registration required. Visitors to the area who are not signed up for Nevada County Alerts receive WEA messages. Radio and television stations broadcast the Emergency Alert System, part of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System.
When an Evacuation Order is issued, law enforcement officers will go door to door to notify residents and a European-style two-toned Hi-Low siren will sound in neighborhoods. Residents can stay vigilant by monitoring local media and sharing only vetted information. A list of trusted local media sources can be found at ReadyNevadaCounty.org/Informed. By using multiple alerts and warnings, Nevada County increases the number of people who receive important and timely information.
Nevada County Alerts uses multiple numbers to prevent bottlenecks when sending alerts at scale.
After the recent county-wide alert test, some T-Mobile users reported the call was labeled as “Spam Likely.” To avoid this, it’s important to add the following numbers to phone contacts before an emergency so calls are clearly recognized as legitimate emergency notifications: 530-394-6160, 530-248-7554, 530-248-7559, 530-248-7564, 530-385-0422.
The Office of Emergency Services (OES) coordinates with County departments, local cities and special districts to design and conduct simulated disaster preparedness and response exercises and evaluate emergency staff training. In May, a wildfire exercise with 50 community partners simulated a Fourth of July fire scenario in the Yuba River canyon.
“It was really great training and got us all ready for fire season,” said Cummings.
“Above-Average” Fire Season
On June 10, gusty north winds and low humidity triggered a Red Flag Warning by the National Weather Service for the Sacramento Valley and Foothills and PG&E issued Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) in two counties as the Putah fire in Yolo County burned west of Winters.
Temperatures are warming up, and 2026 is shaping up to be a potentially active fire season. By taking steps to be prepared now, Nevada County’s 100,000 residents are aiding first responders so they can focus on what they do best – ensuring safe evacuations and putting out fires before they impact life and property. Residents are the single greatest force multiplier to influence evacuation outcomes.
“When it comes to notifications, it’s imperative that people subscribe to alert systems, in this case, Nevada County Alerts,” said CAL FIRE Chief Jim Hudson of the Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit. Creating defensible space around homes and reducing fuels remain powerful actions community members can take to prepare their properties for the season.
“It’s really important that people are stewards of their land,” said Chief Hudson.
Nevada County could see an “above-average” fire season this summer, with CAL FIRE officials warning that dry conditions, heavy grass growth and the potential for lightning storms could increase wildfire risk across the region.
During a presentation to the Board of Supervisors on May 19, CAL FIRE Forester Steve Garcia said one of the biggest concerns this season is the lack of lasting snow pack and moisture on downed trees and vegetation, which is creating dry fuel.
This year’s grass crop is the third-highest on record at 138 percent of the historical average and grasses growing at elevations of 2,000 to 3,500 feet are especially tall and dense.
“We’re starting to see an increase in ignitions. We haven’t seen a fire over six acres yet but fuels will continue to dry,” said Chief Hudson. Over his 27-year career in fire service, he has witnessed the growth of damaging California mega fires such as the Camp Fire and 2022 Mendocino Complex ravage the state. More locally, he was Incident Command for the 2021 River Fire that ignited in the Bear River Canyon and in 2022, the Mosquito Fire that burned 76,788 acres in El Dorado and Placer Counties.
CAL FIRE is prepared for the season with advances in fire detection technology, including artificial intelligence systems and satellite imagery that identify fires even before 911 calls are received. Collaboration with Nevada County Sheriff’s Office and OES for notifications and evacuations adds another layer of preparedness.
“From my perspective, Nevada County has always been proactive in preparedness. We are very collaborative and take a unified approach to all incidents,” said Chief Hudson.
Working Together As A Community
Neighborhoods throughout Nevada County have been doing their part in preparing for wildfire season. In 2026, 1,335 vehicles have gone through the scales at the McCourtney Road Transfer Station with 540 tons of green waste as a part of the County’s free green waste events. In Eastern Nevada County, there is still time to take advantage of free green waste events.
“We will be hosting two free green waste events in Truckee on June 27 and July 10 at the Rodeo Grounds from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.,” said Ricky Martinez, Defensible Space Supervisor for the Office of Emergency Services.
Several community-wide fuels reduction projects are underway throughout Nevada County. A full project list can be viewed on the county’s website, at: readynevadacounty.org/Projects
“I urge residents to be familiar with any projects happening in their area and be sure to sign up and participate in the project if their property qualifies for fuels reduction work,” said Martinez.
Gearing Up in Eastern County
In the Truckee-Tahoe region of Eastern Placer and Nevada Counties, a 211 Connecting Point program known as Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) is keeping staff like manager Anne Rarick busy. This spring, she could be found giving emergency preparedness presentations to community groups and meeting people at senior apartments and food pantries.
Rarrick and her team prioritize outreach to populations with Access and Functional Needs, such as those with limited English proficiency, older adults and those living in remote locations.
“Everyone’s getting geared up. We’ve reached over 500 Truckee residents with wildfire preparedness information this past year. The outreach and response have been really positive. People want to have conversations. Our community wants information and wants to be prepared. They want to have a plan,” said Rarick.
During disasters, the program serves as a liaison between local community-based organizations, nonprofits, the business community and the County’s Office of Emergency Services. During an emergency, the COAD team “huddles” with local nonprofit groups to coordinate responses – like mental health resources after the Castle Peak avalanches this winter – so no one is duplicating efforts.
“We’re kind of that non-governmental response to disasters,” said Rarick. 211 Connecting Point is a non-emergency resource and referral line available around the clock to everyone living in Nevada County. During a wildfire, trained call agents at 211 Connecting Point provide calm during a scary time, taking the pressure off 911 calls.
When a Nevada County Alert goes out, extra staffing ensures the network is positioned to work case by case to determine individual needs, be it interpreting alerts, finding their zone or evacuation shelters, food, health care information and other critical resources. After the River Fire burned 2,619 acres, 211 Connecting Point helped with long-term recovery for people who lost their homes.
Several close calls in recent years are a reminder that wildland fire is always a threat. On May 23, a man was arrested in Truckee after causing a one-acre vegetation fire behind Safeway. The fire was very close to the footprint of the Pass Fire that burned a little over three acres on Donner Pass Road in 2024, forcing evacuation warnings. In 2024, the Royal Fire burned 215 acres West of Soda Springs in the Royal Gorge near The Cedars and Serene Lakes, a situation that could have threatened Truckee if the prevailing winds continued to push the fire forward.
“While we’ve been relatively fortunate in Truckee, we do everything we can to be ready when the day comes. We’re not immune to wildfires,” said James Blattler, Emergency Services Manager for the Town of Truckee.
The Town of Truckee takes emergency response seriously and sends out emergency alert notifications using the Nevada County Alerts platform to notify residents and visitors in the event of a wildfire or winter storm event.
Emergency response requires operational coordination with multiple city, county, state and federal agencies working together, including the Town of Truckee Police, Fire Protection Districts, Placer and Nevada County Sheriffs, CAL FIRE State Parks, U.S. Forest Service.
“Nevada County Alerts is really our best emergency communication tool, especially if you’re not in the immediate area, whether you’re on vacation or you’ve driven to Reno to go shopping for the day,” said Blattler, who sees the value in the tool’s ability to add up to five addresses.
“You can sign up for your home address and maybe you also have an aging relative or your children are in school that you’d like to add,” said Blattler.
But it’s not just residents that the town needs to keep aware during an emergency.
Each year, hundreds of thousands of visitors impact the town’s resident population of 17,000, swelling during peak summer months and big holiday weekends.
“There are many visitors who come to visit this beautiful place,” Blattler said.
Like the rest of the County, the Town of Truckee also uses FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) to send out critical messaging based on geographical locations via wireless emergency alerts. NOAA Weather Radio is another way to stay informed of all hazards 24 hours a day, seven days a week, a good option for people with a second home or short-term rentals like Airbnb.
This year, the Town of Truckee is launching an evacuation study and community outreach to gather insight that will inform capital improvement, communication systems and policies. People can look for outreach booths at the Truckee Farmers Market, Sierra Community House and Truckee Thursdays.
It takes a village to be ready for wildfire and in Truckee, the community is diligently working to create firewise neighborhoods. In May, the Town of Truckee proclaimed May as Wildfire Preparedness Month. Similar to Western Nevada County, many Truckee neighborhoods are built in forested Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) areas. Mitigation projects in and around town are helping to reduce hazardous fuels and improve defensible space.
“We really do have great community support for wildfire preparedness, mitigation and response. Our biggest concern is getting people evacuated safely,” said Blattler.
Learn more: https://townoftruckee.gov/548/Disaster-Information
Five Steps to Emergency Preparedness:
- Sign-up for Nevada County Alerts: Nevada County’s opt-in emergency alert system allows you to receive notifications about up to five addresses in Nevada County. https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/3780/Emergency-Alerts
- Know Your Zone: Evacuation information is communicated based on the zone that addresses falls within. Find Your Zone here: https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/3223/Evacuation-Zone
- Pack Your Go-Bag (and Your Pet Go-Bag!): ensure that you plan for your family’s essential needs. Pack copies of important documents, medication, non-perishable food, and water. https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/2773/Go-Bags-Back-Up-Plan
- Find Your Five: Neighbors can be your greatest asset during an emergency. Introduce yourself now and learn how you can support one another.
- Learn Your Evacuation Options: Familiarize yourself with your evacuation options. Drive them during different times of the day. If you have new drivers in your household, make sure they do the same.
Learn the Lingo: During a wildfire, residents must understand evacuation language:
- Evacuation Warning: Potential threat to life and/or property. Those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock should leave now.
- Evacuation Order: Immediate threat to life and a lawful order to leave now. The area is lawfully closed to public access
- Shelter in Place: Go indoors. Shut and lock doors and windows. Prepare to self-sustain until further notice and/or contacted by emergency personnel for additional direction.
During wildfires and other emergencies, Nevada County residents may receive emergency information through four primary methods:
Opt-In Emergency Alerts: Sign up to receive Nevada County Alerts via landline and cell phone calls, email and texts for emergencies impacting your home address.
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs): Notifications to your cell phone based on location. WEAs do not require registration and are issued by local government as part of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System.
Emergency Alert System (EAS): Alerts radio listeners and TV viewers. EAS do not require registration and are issued by local government as part of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System.
Hi-Low Siren: Alerts neighborhoods of an evacuation order using a European-style, two-tone siren.
OES works under the Emergency Preparedness Board Objective, leading the community in all hazards planning, preparedness, response, and recovery with a focus on wildfire. OES focuses on improving county-wide evacuation routes and safety, continuing to strengthen early alert and critical communication systems, and working with residents and community partners in emergency preparedness, defensible space, home hardening, green waste disposal, and fire safe land stewardship. We are all in this together. Learn more about OES at: ReadyNevadaCounty.org.
Laura Petersen is a freelance writer who lives in Grass Valley. This article was written on behalf of Nevada County. Contact Laura at laurapetersenmedia@gmail.com.
This article appears in Nevada County OES.
