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County and city secure Forest Service funds to treat Deer Creek fuels; project covers 312 acres
Summary
Presenters said the Deer Creek Hazardous Fuels Project is shovel‑ready and will treat an initial 197–190 acres with about $522,000 in U.S. Forest Service partnership funds, part of a larger 312‑acre project that completed environmental review by notice of exemption on Aug. 28, 2024.
Nevada City and Nevada County officials told the City Council on Sept. 24 that the Deer Creek Hazardous Fuels Project has secured federal partnership funding and is advancing toward on‑the‑ground treatment to reduce wildfire risk.
Alex Kubl, director of the Nevada County Office of Emergency Services, and Evan McClennon, Nevada City’s community risk reduction officer, explained the funding and scope: planning was funded in part with approximately $120,000 from Sierra Nevada Conservancy; the US Forest Service partnership provided about $522,000 targeted to roughly 190 acres of the project area, which is part of a total 312‑acre project footprint. Presenters said the environmental review was filed via a notice of exemption on Aug. 28, 2024, and that the treated acres were selected to deliver a wildland‑urban interface benefit and leverage nearby roads and critical infrastructure.
Implementation will rely primarily on mastication treatments on funded acres, a forester previously contracted by the city, and Measure C–supported fire fuels crews. Presenters and council members emphasized the multi‑jurisdictional partnership — which includes Nevada County, US Forest Service partners, PG&E grant participation and local Firewise community organizers — as essential to pulling together funding and implementation capacity.
Public commenter Charlie urged preserving canopy trees where feasible to reduce regrowth and suggested that removed material be made available for neighbors and elders in need of firewood. Council members acknowledged the community and committee work that led to the project and highlighted its protection of critical infrastructure, such as local schools and the wastewater treatment plant.
Why it matters: Councilors described Deer Creek as a priority for Nevada City because it protects historic downtown, schools and municipal infrastructure while providing a defensible fuel reduction buffer that leverages existing roads for firefighter access. Staff asked for acceptance of the update and direction to continue implementation work with partners and grantees.
Next steps: Presenters said the city and county will continue coordinating with the US Forest Service and partners to implement mastication and other treatments on the funded acres and to assemble additional resources to complete the remaining portions of the 312‑acre project.
