Did you know Nevada County now has more Firewise USA® Communities than any other county in the nation? Here, wildfire preparedness isn't just a catchphrase. To us, it's a way of life. Preparing for wildfire is a year-round effort that involves the whole family and the whole neighborhood. It's what's required for us to live and thrive in the rugged Sierra foothills.
It’s why we organize as road and homeowner associations. It’s why we host Firewise Community BBQs and share information about emergency alerts or best practices for keeping evacuation routes clear of storm debris. It’s why we lead prescribed fire workshops and conduct coordinated controlled burns with the guidance of local experts. For us, preparedness takes everyone working together.
Why Join a Firewise Community
Firewise USA® Communities play a vital role in reframing our relationship to fire. They help us understand that there are many steps we can take to help make our homes more resilient to wildfire. In a word, they are empowering as they give us agency to prepare.
Do you want to learn more about how to create defensible space around your home, but aren’t sure where to start? Perhaps you would like to find out more about hardening your home to fire through enclosing eaves, covering vents with metal mesh, and using ignition-resistant materials? Want to learn how to secure a burn permit, check the burn day status, and safely burn your debris piles? Get to know more of your neighbors and join your Firewise USA® Community!
Find Your Firewise USA® Community
The Fire Safe Council of Nevada County coordinates the Firewise Communities USA program. One of their missions is to promote, develop, and retain Firewise Communities to reduce the risk of life and property loss from wildfire. To learn which Firewise Community you live, visit AreYouFireSafe.com for a full list of the 90 Firewise USA® Communities in Nevada County complete with maps of each.
Not yet in a Firewise USA® Community?
Your neighborhood may be “in-training” and taking steps to become a Firewise Community. If not, the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County can help you start your very own! To learn about how your road association or neighborhood may become a designated Firewise Community, contact the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County at (530) 272-1122 or online here.