August 27, 2018 – The Board of Supervisors will be considering a ban on open fire along the South Yuba River Corridor as a pilot program through end of CAL FIRE’s declared fire season in 2018, and starting the Friday before Memorial Day Weekend through the end of CAL FIRE’s declared fire season in 2019. After 2017’s October Fires in Nevada County, it is a top Board priority to implement existing County policies and programs to reduce the risk of wildfire and the effects of wildfire on life, property, and the environment, as well as explore other ways to reduce the threat and damage from wildfires.
The South Yuba River is designated as a State Wild and Scenic River that contains extraordinary scenic, recreation, fishery, and wildlife values of statewide significance that deserve to be preserved and protected in their free-flowing state. With an estimated 800,000 people visiting the South Yuba River each year, the hazards of a human-caused fire warrant the consideration of preventative actions. As a way to prevent the extreme fire danger in the area, an Urgency Ordinance will be considered by the Board to prevent open fires within a quarter mile of the high mark along the South Yuba River. This proposed Urgency Ordinance was reviewed and recommended by the Yuba River Public Safety Cohort, a multi-agency workgroup that includes Federal, State and local agencies and departments.
Before the Board considers an Urgency Ordinance preventing open fires in the South Yuba River Corridor, Nevada County will be holding a public community meeting to present the proposed Urgency Ordinance and receive public comment. The meeting will be held September 4th, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Board Chambers at the Eric Rood Administrative Center in Nevada City. In addition to attending the public meeting, residents can also view the draft proposed Urgency Ordinance and submit comments online at www.tinyurl.com/yubafireban.
The proposed Urgency Ordinance is scheduled to go before the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, September 11th, during the regularly scheduled Board of Supervisors meeting.