Nevada City, Calif. – September is National Preparedness Month, and the City of Nevada City is rolling out new resources to help its residents stay ready for wildfire season. Wildfire danger remains high, even with cooler fall weather. In fact, 12 of the 20 most destructive wildfires in California’s history occurred in September and October.
As part of this effort, the City’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) has partnered with Neighbor to Neighbor, a program of the California Volunteers Office of the Governor, to develop evacuation maps for Nevada City. The maps were created following guidance from our trusted first responders, feedback from the community, and crafted by a consultant: Design for Emergency Management (DEM). These maps show evacuation zones, routes, and critical steps to take during an evacuation. Visit NevadaCityCA.gov/EvacuationMaps to download or pick up in person at City Hall, 317 Broad St. The City encourages community members to meet with their neighbors and discuss these maps, their plans during an emergency, and how to help one another in an evacuation.
These conversations are currently in progress within our existing Firewise communities. Firewise communities play a vital role in bolstering the resilience of your home and neighborhood during a wildfire. Visit NevadaCityCA.gov/FirewiseCommunities to learn more about how to engage with neighbors for enhanced wildfire safety in Nevada City or become part of a Firewise community.
As part of the City’s wildfire preparedness campaign, residents are urged to “Be the hero, clear Zone Zero!” Preparedness begins at home, and with leaves now falling, it’s critical to stay vigilant with home hardening and defensible space efforts. Start by:
- Maintaining Zone Zero—the first 0 to 5 feet around your home—by removing all combustible materials.
- Eliminate ladder fuels such as brush and low-hanging branches and keep access routes clear with at least 10 feet of clearance from the shoulder and 15 feet overhead to ensure safe passage for emergency vehicles.
- Inspecting vents, door sweeps, and other openings, making sure they are secured with fire-resistant 1/8–1/16 inch screening to keep embers out.
Together, these steps can make the difference in protecting homes and the community. For residents located within the Nevada City limits seeking help with defensible space compliance, assistance is offered through the Defensible Space Assistance Program. Reach out to the Office of Emergency Services (OES) department by emailing evan.mclenithan@nevadacityca.gov or calling 530-265-2496 ext. 121.
“Nevada City is committed to providing the resources and support our community needs to stay safe,” said Camille Oneto, OES Specialist. “Preparedness is a shared responsibility —every action residents take, big or small, strengthens our collective resilience.”