How the county prepares

Whether it is discussing the increasing cost of fire insurance, forest health, preparation and planning, or protecting county resources, everyone has a part in the conversation. Partnerships and coordination are critical to ensuring Placer County is prepared.

Coordinating with local and state partners to prepare for wildfire

Preparing for wildfire takes all forms in Placer County. CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit / Placer County Fire Department, local fire districts, federal fire partners, cities, fire safe communities and Placer County all work toward creating and maintaining defensible space around homes and infrastructure, regional fuel breaks, fire education campaigns and more. One example is CAL FIRE’s recently completed North Fork American River Shaded Fuel Break. The project is designed to protect the residents of Placer County and help safeguard over 5,500 structures and critical infrastructure such as the Union Pacific Rail Line, Interstate 80, the Kinder Morgan Petroleum Pipeline, and Pacific Gas and Electric power and water infrastructure that serves approximately 500,000 customers.  

Working together on forest restoration and water conservation

The French Meadows Project is a forest restoration and fuels reduction project located in the headwaters of the Middle Fork American River in the Tahoe National Forest. It is an extensive public-private partnership of numerous regional and federal partners - all working together to not only improve the health and resilience of a vital municipal watershed, but also to address critical barriers to increasing the pace and scale of forest restoration in the Sierra.

The Middle Fork Project is a multi-purpose water supply and hydro-generation project designed to conserve and control waters of the Middle Fork American River, the Rubicon River, and several associated tributary streams.

The Auburn Shaded Fuel Break is part of a larger fuel break that extends along the North Fork of the American River to Colfax. It is unique in that it lies within a wildland-urban-interface (WUI) between rugged, forested terrain and denser urban areas. For this reason, the shaded fuel break is a critical element that protects the City of Auburn from wildfires.  

Combining efforts to reduce wildfire risk    

• Placer County partners with the Placer Resource Conservation District on multiple programs, one being the low-cost Chipper Program to help homeowners improve their defensible space.
• Placer County Parks Division’s goat grazing program is an environmentally friendly option for open space management and fire risk reduction. 
• Placer County Environmental Utilities Division’s green waste recycling program helps residents reach their defensible space goals.

Placer County has one of the largest networks of Firewise USA communities in the state

Our county residents provide the most valuable opportunity for developing effective partnerships. The Placer County Fire Safe Alliance is made up of federal, state and local agencies and community partners, who support residents’ preparedness efforts through Firewise Communities and Fire Safe Councils. Visit placer.ca.gov/FiresafeAlliance to get involved.

Preparedness starts at home

Placer Alert
The Placer Alert public notification system, operated by the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, is vital for informing residents during an emergency. Be prepared and sign up for notifications at PlacerAlert.org. 

Ready Placer

Visit ReadyPlacer.org to learn more about what the county is doing and what you can do to ensure you are prepared. Put together emergency supply kits in an easy-to-carry “go bag” so you’re ready to go at a moment’s notice in the event of a wildfire or other disaster.