Dear neighbors:
How lucky are we to live in this incredibly beautiful part of Nevada County? Everywhere you look right now there are happy flowers, singing birds, buzzing bees and gorgeous green as far as the eye can see. We are especially grateful for this splendor after the past year of worry and uncertainty.
But - and you knew there would be a but, right? - this lush time of year will give way sooner than we like to the days of high heat and wildfire conditions.
The 6B and Friends Firewise Community has come a long way to make our neighborhood as fire safe as possible. Here are some of our top accomplishments:
We became certified as an official Firewise Community. This certification took about two years of hard work and has many advantages, including the potential for insurance companies to consider this in their coverage evaluations.
Many residents donated money to fix our dilapidated water infrastructure so firefighters can protect our properties in the event of an emergency.
Neighbors have worked hard to clear brush, limb up trees, harden homes, create crucial defensible space around structures, and install reflective address signs.
Volunteers have cleared overhanging trees and flammable vegetation from the sides of our roads.
Fire safety is an ongoing endeavor, and now is the time to double your efforts and prepare for the hot summer weather and dangerous fire conditions that are right around the corner.
Free Green Waste Disposal in May and June
The Nevada County Office of Emergency Services has once again contracted with the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County to hold its popular green waste drop-off and mulch pickup program in May and June.
Because there is less grant money available this year for this terrific service due to conditions created by the pandemic, there is a shorter schedule. Start staging green waste now to take full advantage of this free program. Click here for more details and dates. Note that commercial green waste, Scotch broom, poison oak, blackberry, items with a diameter greater than 6 inches, tree stumps, root balls, household waste, and trash are prohibited.
Ready for the 2021 fire season?
Text LISTOSCA to 72345 to enroll in a short, very cool Disaster Preparedness course. You’ll get one text message a day for one week to learn the first five steps critical to getting ready for fire season.
Schedule a free Defensible Space visit
We have three trained Defensible Space Advisors in our community. Schedule an apointment (socially distanced) with Lauren Drutz, (530) 559-5460, Karen Pridemore, (530) 274-8770 or Trent Pridemore, (530) 274-8770. They will walk your property and give you suggestions for best practices in wildfire preparedness and home hardening, These are visits, not inspections, and a no-judgement, free service!
Thank you to our 6B and Friends water watchdogs
A big thank you to John Porterfield, Jim Walters and Bill Athow, our neighbors who make sure our water supply infrastructure is in good working order.
A reminder that only fire fighters are permitted to use water from the two hydrants on Thoroughbred Loop and water tank on South Ponderosa. Landscapers, growers and water trucks are prohibited from using water that is meant for protecting our homes in the event of a fire.
If you see anyone taking water, get as much information as you can, including jotting down or taking a photo of the license plate, noting the name on the door, and a description of the vehicle. Email the information to Terry McMahan, fire marshal with Nevada County Consolidated Fire District, at terrymcmahan@nccfire.com. He will send a letter to the person or business warning them that they are stealing water.
Prepare for animal evacuation
Part of being prepared for a fire emergency - or any emergency - is to have a plan about how to ensure the safety of your animals, large and small.
The Nevada County Veterinary Disaster Response Team (Animal Evac) can help you prepare. For information and resources, go to their website, call 530-477-6506, or email nevcoanimalevac@gmail.com.
Fire preparedness video
Be sure to watch and share this fire preparedness video, a short version of the more detailed “Nevada County Ready, Set, Go! Handbook”. The 2021 edition of the handbook will be released in May. You can see a sneak peek here. The video and handbook are great resources that include specific steps for wildfire and emergency preparedness in Nevada County. Learn more at http://ReadyNevadaCounty.org.
Keep track of your fire safety work hours and costs
In order to maintain our Firewise Community status with the The National Fire Protection Association we are required to submit an annual report with the money and hours spent on fire safety work performed on our properties.
It’s easy! Use this simple form to keep track of the hours and money you spend between Nov. 1, 2020 and Oct. 31. 2021. You can estimate your hours, and receipts are not required. Send the form to Karen Pridemore at karenvpridemore@gmail.com. Call Karen with any questions at (530) 274-8770.
Be well, be safe!
Your Firewise Committee
Lauren Drutz, Lynn Forbes, Karen Pridemore, Trent Pridemore, Jim Walters