GRASS VALLEY, CALIF. — Wildfire-Ready Coalition of Nevada County today announced the launch of “Choose Wildfire Ready,” its fall membership and fundraising campaign to support year-round wildfire readiness.
“Wildfire is part of life in our beautiful foothill and mountain communities. But being ready doesn’t happen in one big, heroic moment. It happens through choices we make before smoke is in the air,” said Joanne Drummond, campaign chair. “Now is the time to support Wildfire-Ready Coalition’s efforts to keep Nevada County safer from wildfire. We want everyone to Choose Wildfire Ready.”
Wildfire-Ready Coalition, a Nevada County nonprofit organization formed in 2025, closes the gap between knowing what should happen and helping Nevada County make it happen.
Drummond said, “Wildfire-Ready Coalition helps residents and communities do the work that changes what happens when wildfire comes: hardening homes, reducing fuels, improving evacuation readiness, strengthening Firewise Communities and turning wildfire information into action.”
Ready Is How We Roll
The “Choose Wildfire Ready” campaign was jump-started by a generous donation from John Volz, founder of Grass Valley’s Volz Automotive: a portable high-pressure water pump – valued at $1,600 – that connects to any nearby water source to help control fires. Sales of raffle tickets for the water pump package will directly benefit Wildfire-Ready Coalition.
The Volz family also donated $1,000 for custom-designed limited-edition “Ready Is How We Roll” T-shirts for members who join with a donation over $100.
“When my wife, Carol, and I bought our new place up Highway 20, we quickly realized that preparing our home for wildfire isn’t a weekend chore—it’s a continuous commitment to protecting family and neighbors,“ Volz said.
“We needed specialized guidance, so we reached out to Wildfire-Ready Coalition and were blown away by their willingness to advise us on how to prepare our home for wildfire.”
The Volzes’ support for Wildfire-Ready Coalition grew out of that experience.
“Wildfire-Ready Coalition is a lean, community-driven 501(c)3 non-profit that fills a desperate need: helping neighborhood leaders organize, assisting residents in achieving Firewise Community recognition, and translating complex fire science into doable personal action,” Volz said.
“The Coalition operates with virtually no overhead, meaning more than 95% of donations go directly into funding programs like home assessments and community education. We can’t control when the next embers fly in Nevada County, but we can control how ready we are,” he said.
Signature Programs
Although Wildfire-Ready Coalition is just over a year old, the organization is already known for three signature programs: organizing and supporting Firewise communities throughout the county; Wildfire-Ready Homes, a program that offers free advisory assessments to homeowners throughout the county; and Act Now!, its public education and action campaign that helps residents turn wildfire information into action.
Jo Ann Fites-Kaufman, Wildfire-Ready Coalition president, said, “This is our first membership and fundraising drive, but we have ambitious goals: 1,000 individual members, 75 Firewise Community members, and 25 business members.
“Our vision is a Nevada County that is ready before fire, survivable during fire and resilient afterward. We encourage everyone to join the movement. Your gift helps provide free workshops, home advisory visits, Firewise Community support and practical tools for local residents.”
Three Ways to Say “I Choose Wildfire Ready”
Go to Choose Wildfire Ready. All contributions are tax-deductible, as Wildfire Ready Coalition of Nevada County is a registered 501(c)(3) organization.
- Join the Coalition. Count Me In!! Make a yearly, monthly or one-time donation. Dollar-for-dollar match. $7,500 in gifts unlocks $7,500 more from an anonymous donor, yielding $15,000 for Wildfire-Ready Coalition.
- Ready Is How We Roll Member Reward. Become a member. Members giving over $100 receive a limited edition “Ready Is How We Roll” T-shirt.
- Gear Up for Fire Season. Purchase a High-Pressure Fire Pump Cart raffle ticket for $50 by Sat., Oct. 31, by check or cash only at A-Z Supply, 13396 Ridge Road, Grass Valley, where you can also see the fire pump.Or order your tickets delivered. Odds of winning are good! Just 200 tickets will be sold. Drawing will be held at A- Z Supply at noon, Sun., Nov. 1.
About Wildfire-Ready Coalition of Nevada County
Formed in March 2025, Wildfire-Ready Coalition of Nevada County is a volunteer-driven nonprofit helping residents and neighborhoods act now and act together—with free workshops, home assessments, Firewise Community support and practical tools that turn good plans into action. See more about us on our Facebook and Instagram pages.