Wildfire Resources

2023

This is a general wildfire information page for Nevada and Placer Counties, including the Tahoe Truckee area. In the event of a significant wildfire requiring evacuations, a dedicated web page will be created and updated as the incident evolves. This page contains many resources that will also appear on an event-specific page. Browse the sections below to learn more about each topic.

2-1-1 call agents can help you register for emergency alert messages, identify your Evacuation Zone, review your “go bag,” and identify extra resources you may need, including transportation, medication, medical needs, livestock transport, and more.

TOPICS

911, 211, & COUNTY DASHBOARDS | Prepare | EVACUATIONS | Road Conditions & Closures | Stay Informed | Alerts | Temporary Evacuation Points & Animal Evacuation | Transportation | After Evacuation | How to Find People | Air Quality | Food & Other Personal Care | How to Help | Recovery | Utilities | Trusted Information Sources

Call 911

for a life-threatening emergency, downed power lines, or if you smell natural gas or propane

Or text to 911

  • Placer County – You can call or text 9-1-1 for emergencies if you are living in or traveling through Placer County.
  • Nevada County – You can call or try texting 9-1-1 for emergencies. Some cell phone service providers may not yet have text to 9-1-1 enabled in Nevada County.

Contact 211 for other information

  • Call 2-1-1 or 1-833-342-5211 (1-833-DIAL211)
  • Text your zip code to 898211 to connect with a live call agent

Ready NEVADA COUNTY Dashboard

provides almost real-time information during disasters

Ready PLACER Dashboard

provides almost real-time information during disasters

Cal Fire Incident info and maps

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PREPARE

COUNTY PREPAREDNESS RESOURCES

CAL FIRE PREPAREDNESS RESOURCES

LISTOS CALIFORNIA PREPAREDNESS RESOURCES – Listos California provides information in many languages to help people prepare for wildfire, flood, earthquake, drought, heatwave, and other disasters.

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EVACUATIONS

Call 911 

If you are stuck in an Evacuation ORDER zone without transportation and there is an immediate threat to your life.

Call 211 or 1-833-342-5211 (1-833-DIAL211)

If you are in an Evacuation WARNING zone and you are in need of transportation.

EVACUATION MAPS

Nevada County

Placer County

  • Ready Placer Dashboard provides almost real-time information during disasters
  • ReadyPlacer.org offers info on preparation, Sheriff and Fire Departments, Placer Alerts, power outages, air quality, and more

EVACUATION STATUS LEVELS

  • Evacuation Order – An immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to leave now. The area is lawfully closed to public access.
  • Evacuation Warning – A potential threat to life and/or property. Those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock should leave now.
  • Shelter In Place – An order to go indoors. Shut and lock doors and windows. Prepare to self-sustain until further notice and/or contacted by emergency personnel for additional direction.
  • Advisory – A notice to be on alert and follow county recommendations.
  • Clear To Repopulate – It is safe to return to your home. Be aware of your surroundings and go through the returning home checklist.
  • Normal – There is no current knowledge of threats affecting your area and that you can carry on with normal activity.

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ROAD CONDITIONS & CLOSURES

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STAY INFORMED

Trusted information sources providing current updates

NEVADA COUNTY Office of Emergency Services

NEVADA COUNTY Sheriff’s Office

PLACER COUNTY

PLACER COUNTY Sheriff’s Office

CAL FIRE

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ALERTS

Nevada County – SIGN UP for CodeRED

  • You can create a MANAGED account or create an UNMANAGED Guest account on your own. A managed account allows you to modify your existing notification settings and contact information. You may also customize the types of notifications you receive and add an additional address.
  • If you need assistance signing up for an UNMANAGED Guest account, call 2-1-1 or 833-342-5211 (833-DIAL211).
  • SET PHONE TO GET ALERTS AFTER SIGNING UP
    • Cordless & electric phones need to have power and have the ringer turned on (a traditional corded landline phone does not need electricity, but the ringer does need to be turned on).
    • Cell phones need to be on and have the ringer turned on. Add CodeRED as a contact on your phone so you know who the call is coming from: CodeRED Emergency Alert 1-866-419-5000; CodeRED General Alert 1-855-969-4636; CodeRED Text Alert 1-218-350-0131. If you set your cell phone to DO NOT DISTURB at night, learn how to set it so CodeRED alerts can come through. Do an internet search on “how to bypass do not disturb on ________ (Android or iPhone).”

Placer County – SIGN UP for Placer Alerts

Or text your zip code, followed by a second text with the word “resume” to 88911 (This applies to new or existing subscribers. You will begin receiving Placer Alerts to your phone based on your zip code.)

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TEMPORARY EVACUATION POINTS & ANIMAL EVACUATION

When a 211 web page is launched for a specific wildfire in Nevada and/or Placer County, the following info will be posted as it becomes available and once 211 is notified:

  • Locations of Evacuation Centers, Temporary Evacuation Points (TEPs), and/or Congregate Shelters open for evacuees.
  • Info about Animal Evacuations.
  • Info will also be on the Cal Fire website. Click on “Incidents” menu for info.

SHELTER OPTIONS FROM RED CROSS

If people are under a mandatory evacuation order and Temporary Evacuation Points are closed, they can call Red Cross 24/7 at 1-844-236-0153.

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TRANSPORTATION

Call 911 if you are stuck in an Evacuation ORDER zone without transportation and there is an immediate threat to your life.

Call 211 if you are in an Evacuation WARNING zone and you are in need of transportation.

ROAD CLOSURES – See additional options above at ROAD CONDITIONS & CLOSURES.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

WESTERN NEVADA COUNTY – additional info

  • PUBLIC TRANSIT FOR EVACUATIONS – If needed for evacuations, the County of Nevada will activate public transportation resources. Nevada County transit services can ONLY help in Evacuation WARNING zones.
  • EVACUATING WITH ANIMALS – BUS & PARATRANSIT – Nevada County Connects bus service (formerly Gold Country Stage) and Nevada County Now paratransit service (formerly Gold Country Lift) are providing transportation for evacuees with animals as follows:
    • Non-service animals are allowed. Size requirement: animals must be in a leakproof cage that is carried and controlled by their owner. No animal type restrictions (birds, snakes, and others are welcome). No large non-service animals allowed who cannot be carried (e.g., horses, cows).
    • Service animals are allowed. No size or type restrictions (except that they must be small enough to fit on the bus).
  • NEVADA COUNTY – TRANSIT CONTACT INFO
    • Nevada County Connects (public bus): 1-530-477-0103
    • Nevada County Now (paratransit): 1-530-271-7433, toll free 1-855-341-7433

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AFTER EVACUATION

HOW WILL I KNOW WHEN I CAN GO HOME?

  • NEVADA COUNTY – Once it is safe to return to homes in Nevada County, the info will be shared on social media, through CodeRED calls, and as a notification on the Nevada County Sheriff CA app. To download the app, go to the App Store and search for the Nevada County Sheriff CA app. Info will also appear on the Ready Nevada County Dashboard.
  • PLACER COUNTY – Once it is safe to return to homes in Placer County, the info will be shared on Placer County Sheriff’s Office social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Nextdoor) and Placer Alert, as well as on the PCSO Public Safety Map.

Call 2-1-1 or 833-342-5211 (833-DIAL211) if you need additional information about returning home.

HOW DO I SAFELY RETURN HOME?

When entering the burned area, residents need to be on alert for hot spots, rolling debris, and other hazards. Do not enter areas that appear unsafe. There may still be heavy first responder traffic in the area. Please travel through the area with caution.

IF HOME IS DAMAGED OR DESTROYED

If your home is damaged or destroyed, you will be notified by your County of residence. Your County and 211 can help provide recovery information for your situation.

If you know for certain that you have lost your home in a disaster, call the American Red Cross at 844-236-0153 any time 24/7. ARC can open a case file and there may be resources available through ARC to help.

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HOW TO FIND PEOPLE

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AIR QUALITY

AIR QUALITY DATA

  • AirNow is a website for air quality data. It highlights air quality in your local area first, and also provides air quality information with state, national, and world views. An interactive map lets you zoom out to get the big picture or drill down to see data for a single air quality monitor.
  • Spare the Air provides Air Quality Information for the Sacramento Region from the Sacramento Metropolitan, El Dorado, Feather River, Placer, and Yolo-Solano Air Districts. Sign up for air quality alerts.

MASKS FOR WILDFIRE SMOKE

To protect your lungs from smoky air, choose a mask called a particulate respirator that has the word “NIOSH” and either “N95” or “P100” printed on it. These are sold at many hardware and home repair stores and pharmacies. More mask information from the California Department of Public Health.

AIR QUALITY IN THE HOME

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FOOD & OTHER PERSONAL CARE

FOOD BANKS

CALFRESH REPLACEMENT BENEFITS

If you are a current CalFresh recipient affected by a disaster you may be eligible to receive replacement benefits for food bought with CalFresh that was lost as a result of a disaster. Replacement must be requested within ten days of the disaster. Please contact your County for additional information on how to request supplemental disaster benefits or use the following link to apply www.getcalfresh.org/replace.

CLOTHING – free for people in need

INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING WILL BE ON A DEDICATED INCIDENT PAGE as it becomes available

  • Trauma counseling and spiritual support
  • Showers
  • Financial help
  • Lost or broken eye glasses
  • Medication replacement

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HOW TO HELP

DONATIONS

People can contact local food banks and American Red Cross to make cash donations. Firefighters are well taken care of and typically do not accept food donations.

VOLUNTEERING

Volunteer opportunities in Nevada County will be posted on the Connecting Point Volunteer Hub as available. Please note that all animal evacuation volunteers and most American Red Cross (ARC) volunteers must be trained and approved in advance of any incident.

AMERICAN RED CROSS

The American Red Cross (ARC) is always accepting donations and in need of new volunteers to help respond to wildfires. Many ARC volunteer opportunities require advance training.

HOME SHARING

HomeShare American River is a nonprofit housemate-matching service that serves to quickly take advantage of housing we already have. Match agreements can include exchanges of lower rent for affordable in-home services for “hosts” (and thus informal employment for “guests”). 530-746-8681. Service area includes Nevada County and Placer County.

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RECOVERY

IMMEDIATE NEEDS

Call 2-1-1 for information about food distributions, where to get clothing, and more. Some resources are also provided in other sections of this webpage.

CLEANUP AFTER A FIRE GUIDELINES

DO NOT begin debris removal before contacting the County. If people start to do things before contacting insurance and County, they may become ineligible for financial support of different kinds. There are also issues about how to safely dispose of lots of kinds of debris. Your County helps advise on all this.

INSURANCE CLAIMS

  • If you are a resident who lost your home or experienced fire damage to your home or property, contact the California Department of Insurance (CDI) and your insurance agent before removing anything or doing any clean-up on your property. Cleaning up prior to contacting your insurance company could result in a loss of insurance claims.
  • See the CDI’s Top 10 Tips for Wildfire Claimants.
  • Insurance coverage may help with evacuation costs. Residents who have been ordered to evacuate due to wildfires may have homeowner’s or renter’s insurance coverage to help with evacuation and relocation costs, even if their homes are not damaged or destroyed. Additional Living Expense coverage, known as ALE, typically includes food and housing costs, furniture rental, relocation and storage, and extra transportation expenses. Residents are urged to keep all receipts accrued during the evacuation and to contact their insurance company to start the claims process.
  • United Policyholders is a non-profit consumer organization and trusted resource helping disaster survivors with insurance issues for more than 30 years. They offer free webinars, and you can view recordings of prior ones on topics of relevance to your situation. Questions? Email info@uphelp.org

LEGAL ASSISTANCE

Legal Services of Northern California (LSNC) can help address many legal issues that arise after a natural disaster. Free legal services are available to low-income individuals and seniors (aged 60+). Legal Services of Northern California, www.lsnc.net, 530-823-7560. Specific areas of help are: government assistance/disaster related benefits; replacement prescriptions or medical equipment; housing and renter rights; job/employment impacts; mortgage lender disaster questions; legal requirements during rebuilding; other disaster related expenses; replace legal documents lost in disaster.

Disaster Legal Assistance Collaborative (DLAC) is a collaborative of nonprofits, law firms, legal aid, and government organizations that work together to provide free legal services to disaster survivors. Services are open to all, regardless of immigration status.

RETURNING HOME AFTER A WILDFIRE

IF YOUR HOME IS DESTROYED

If you know for certain that you have lost your home in a disaster, call the American Red Cross at 844-236-0153 any time 24/7. ARC can open a case file and there may be resources available through ARC to help.

FIRE RETARDANT CLEANUP

USPS MAIL DELIVERY

The USPS holds mail for people affected by evacuations. Delivery will resume when evacuation orders are lifted. People can collect mail any time at the Post Office by presenting a picture ID. If people are unable to return home for some time, they can do a permanent or temporary change of address. The USPS posts service updates on its Service Alerts web page.

REBUILDING AFTER A WILDFIRE

Rebuilding info from Cal OES, the California Office of Emergency Services.

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UTILITIES

After disaster, contact your electricity provider to:

  • Ask about bill payment assistance
  • Immediately stop service if relevant (i.e., if home is damaged or destroyed)
  • Learn more about power restoration, financial support, and the rebuilding process

ELECTRICITY PROVIDERS

  • Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) serves most of Nevada and Placer Counties, including the communities of Soda Springs and Norden near Truckee. PG&E Wildfire Recovery Support web page. 800-743-5000 of 800-743-5002
  • Liberty Utilities serves some Truckee addresses and surrounding areas. 844-245-6868
  • Pioneer Community Energy serves most of Placer County and will cover the cities of Grass Valley and Nevada City in Nevada County in 2024. Pioneer uses PG&E wires and poles, so refer to PG&E outage maps in event of PSPS event or other power outage. 844-937-7466 or 916-758-8969
  • Roseville Electric serves people within the city limits of Roseville only. Roseville Electric is not affected by PSPS events. 916-797-6937
  • Truckee Donner Public Utility District serves the Town of Truckee and some surrounding areas with power from NV Energy. 530-587-3896

If you do not know who provides your electricity, contact the utility companies above (you may not know if, for example, your landlord pays your utilities or you are visiting the area).

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TRUSTED INFORMATION SOURCES

NEVADA COUNTY

NEVADA COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES

NEVADA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

NEVADA COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS

In the event of a disaster, Nevada County Office of Emergency Services recommends the following trusted information sources (aka trusted news sources).

PLACER COUNTY

PLACER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

In the event of a disaster, County of Placer recommends the following trusted information sources (aka trusted news sources).

LOCAL RADIO STATIONS

West of the Sierra & Donner Summit

  • KAHI AM 950
  • KFBK AM 1530
  • KGBY FM 92.5
  • KNCO AM 830

East of the Sierra & Donner Summit

  • KOH AM 780
  • KOWL AM 1490
  • KRLT FM 93.9
  • KTKE FM 101.5

LOCAL TELEVISION STATIONS

West of the Sierra & Donner Summit

  • KCRA Channel 3
  • KXTV Channel 10
  • KOVR Channel 13
  • KMAX Channel 31
  • KTXL Channel 40
  • KQCA Channel 58

East of the Sierra & Donner Summit

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