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Nevada County, CAL FIRE warn of above‑average wildfire potential and roll out new alert system
Summary
Emergency Services and CAL FIRE briefed the board on 2026 wildfire readiness, reporting expanded outreach, a new Nevada County Alerts platform (test scheduled May 28), increased green‑waste days, and a forecast of above‑average June–August fire potential driven by low snowpack and abundant grass fuels.
Nevada County emergency officials and CAL FIRE told the Board of Supervisors on May 19 that this year’s wildfire risk may be higher than normal and described near‑term steps the county has taken to prepare.
Alex Keibel Toole, the county’s emergency services director, said the Office of Emergency Services has already completed intensive outreach this spring and helped register thousands for the county’s new Nevada County Alerts platform, which launched on April 14. “We accomplished over 7,000 signups in just seven days,” he said, and asked residents to verify their contact information ahead of a countywide test scheduled for May 28.
Alessandra Zambrano, county wildfire coordinator, outlined the outreach and mitigation calendar: expanded free community green‑waste collection days (Western and Eastern Nevada County slots through early September), an EOC wildfire preparedness training on May 7, community outreach events and a county mailer planned for early June to explain the alerts platform.
CAL FIRE unit chief Jim Hudson and unit forester Steve Garcia presented the unit’s 2026 outlook and readiness posture. Garcia highlighted an unusually low upper‑elevation snowpack and described unusually tall, dense grass growth in many areas. “The department is predicting between June to August above‑average fire potential,” he said, adding that much of the higher‑elevation woody fuels are dryer than typical for this time of year.
Hudson described resource upgrades: additional year‑round engine staffing in key stations, enhancements at the Grass Valley Air Attack Base including a new retardant‑mixing system, expanded unmanned aerial‑system capability, and a fourth C‑130 (C‑1) airtanker arriving soon. He noted improved early‑detection tools, including artificial‑intelligence‑enabled cameras and satellite detection that have in some cases alerted dispatch before a 911 call.
Board members and staff discussed practical steps for residents (sign up for alerts, defensible‑space measures) and county efforts to expand aviation and ECC capabilities. The board recorded a motion to accept the presentation and encouraged continued outreach and funding pursuit for fuels projects and readiness activities.
