Nevada County Grand Jury
• 2018-2019
Facing Year-Long Fire Seasons: Are We Prepared?
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 8 findings
F1
The majority of the responsibility for both fire prevention and evacuation route knowledge falls upon the public.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The County should establish a dedicated fire prevention coordinator reporting directly to the County Executive Officer with regular reports to the Board of Supervisors.
F2
OES is in the process of hiring four part-time defensible space employees for 2019, each limited to 1,000 hours per year. This staffing level affords the County far less fire protection compared to 1975, when six full-time inspectors were employed.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The defensible space inspection program should be expanded into a year-round program staffed by a minimum of two full-time employees in addition to the four current, part-time positions.
F3
There is no fire prevention coordinator accountable for comprehensive fire prevention efforts between fire districts, the County, non-profits, homeowners’ associations, and residents.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The County should ensure that all County-maintained roads are cleared at least every five years to comply with best practices.
F4
The County does not allocate sufficient budgetary resources for its abatement ordinance or fire prevention efforts.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The County should fund additional programs to aid homeowners in vegetation management and removal.
F5
Fire season has extended over time, especially recently, to the point that many officials now consider it as “year-round.”
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
County residents should have multiple evacuation routes and contingency plans in place.
F6
There is no comprehensive County fire evacuation plan.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
County residents should have a “go bag” prepared and accessible with everything they need in case of evacuation.
F7
Due to the unpredictable nature of fires, a variety of evacuation routes are necessary.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
Non-profits should continue to expand their public outreach efforts.
F8
County residents have taken an increasingly proactive role in fire prevention.
No recommendations for this finding
No Responses Found 2
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
County of Nevada
Agency
Nevada County Board of Supervisors
Elected County Office