22Ready Nevada County22 campaign urges residents to prepare for wildfire season

Ready Nevada County on Tuesday emphasized wildfire preparedness and evacuation planning as the county head into high-risk months, urging residents to harden homes, build defensible space and sign up for multiple alert systems.

A county presenter described the Ready, Set, Go framework as a three-tiered approach. In the Ready phase, households are urged to do education and planning, "hardening" measures such as fine-mesh vent screens and noncombustible decking, and creating defensible space—especially the first 100 feet around a home. The Set posture is for heightened awareness when a threat approaches; Go is an evacuation order when there is an imminent threat to life.

Officials highlighted CodeRED, an opt-in dial-and-text alert system maintained by the county Office of Emergency Services, and introduced ZoneHaven (community.zonehaven.com) as a supplemental mapping tool. County staff advised residents to type their address into ZoneHaven, record their zone, and use that information alongside CodeRED and Nixle to know when their area is advised or ordered to evacuate.

Speakers and residents also focused on household-level planning for power outages and medical needs. A 211 representative, Ulysses Palencia, noted that "In Nevada County, 211 is available 24/7" to direct people to resource centers and evacuation information. Multiple public commenters described relying on CPAP machines, nebulizers or insulin pumps and recommended battery or generator solutions; one resident recommended contacting a local provider named Fried for battery procurement.

Officials reiterated practical guidance: assemble a 72-hour go-bag with food, water, medication and documents; identify a meetup place for families; and build a local support network of trusted neighbors. The campaign's tagline was emphasized by a presenter: "This fire season, you're the hero. We are Ready Nevada County."