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1. I am concerned about visitors to the area not being aware of fire danger. What can I do?

Share the Ready Set Go Guide from this website with them and go over in depth the Set and Go check lists.  Have them sign up for local emergency alert messages while they are visiting.  Be sure they know how to be situationally aware, especially on a Red Flag warning day.  Using the guide, identify a place to meet up if you are separated during an evacuation.  Other good tips are in the guide. Additional tips and links to areas of interest can be found here. https://www.mynevadacounty.com/2784/Tips-for-Visitors-Camping-Hospitality 

2. Are there plans for evacuation routes for Nevada County? If so, what are they?

Due to the highly variable nature of fire and the uniqueness of each emergency event, it is difficult to provide wildfire evacuation maps for the community. Evacuation routes will be determined in the event of a wildfire based on the direction the fire is moving and cannot be predetermined. Our approach is to have individuals be familiar with all main arterial, major/minor collector, as well as local roads near their home.

The best rule of thumb is to have at least 2 exit routes. We encourage every member of your family to know all possible ways to get out of your neighborhood in case one or more exit routes are blocked. The best way to familiarize yourself with possible exit routes is to take a day to drive your neighborhood. Relying on a map alone may not provide you the full picture, as road conditions, gates, and other obstacles are not shown or may change over time. We encourage you to prepare for low visibility and potential challenges specific to your situation. We also recommend that individuals have a printed map as GPS may not be available in an emergency.

 A general Emergency Preparedness Guide & Evacuation Plan may be printed and posted on your refrigerator to save for future use.

There is no “one size fits all” preparedness strategy.  Learn more about preparing your family for safe evacuations here   

Be ready to Go by learning evacuation and traffic terms here. 

3. How do we plan the best escape route? How can we help our in-town area?

Do not wait to evacuate if you feel unsafe.  Leaving early increases your chance of survival and late evacuations put you, your neighbors, and first responders at risk.

The best rule of thumb is to have at least 2 ways of egress. Every member of your family should know all possible ways to get out of your neighborhood in case one or more egress routes are blocked. The best way to learn routes out of your neighborhood is to take a day and drive around, prepare for low visibility and challenges specific to your situation. Do not count solely on mapping software and applications as they often do not show gates and other road hazards. 

There is no “one size fits all” preparedness strategy.  Learn more about preparing your family for safe evacuations here https://www.mynevadacounty.com/2711/Set

Be ready to Go by learning evacuation and traffic terms here. https://www.mynevadacounty.com/2712/Go

4. Are there designated safe spots in case roads are clogged by vehicles evacuating? Can we use existing golf courses, school campuses and carve out more designated safe spots?

In some countries, like Australia, residents evacuate high fire risk areas on red flag days before an ignition occurs. This is the safest strategy for your family. It takes a lot of mental and physical fitness to survive an entrapment or shelter-in-place during a wildfire and it is not recommended because it is often deadly. Early evacuation and avoiding fire weather is always preferred.

There is no “one size fits all” preparedness strategy.  Learn more about preparing your family for safe evacuations here https://www.mynevadacounty.com/2711/Set

Be ready to Go by learning evacuation and traffic terms here. https://www.mynevadacounty.com/2712/Go

5. What is being done about County roads’ roadside vegetation?

The County maintains 560 miles of roadway and spends approximately $700,000 per year on roadside brush clearing, tree removal, and mowing.   This treats about 70 miles per year.   The County and Fire Safe Council applied for and received a grant this year to perform an additional 50 miles of roadside vegetation management which was performed. The County has applied for several FEMA and CAL FIRE wildfire mitigation grants to treat approximately 350 additional miles.  The County Board of Supervisors sent a letter to Governor Newsom advocating for CAL TRANS to perform increased roadside vegetation treatment along all state highways located in our County, as well as to increase lane/shoulders where appropriate to reduce potential evacuation bottlenecks.