October 2025 Newsletter

Hello Neighbors…

Apologies that this is coming to you so late in the month—your volunteer writer/editor has had a very busy October!

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Fire season isn’t quite over yet, so keep up your evacuation readiness, your defensible space, and your situational awareness.

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Residential Burning

Due to cooler weather and a couple inches of rain, as of October 17 CALFIRE is allowing smaller, permitted burn piles on permissible burn days. It’s nice to be able to get started on fuel reduction!

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A few things to be aware of:

• Get your free permit if you haven’t already.

• Build your piles no more than 4x4 ft (the maximum size during permit season).

• Clear all flammable material and vegetation within 10-feet of the outer edge of piles and down to the bare earth.

• Always check burn day status before starting a burn.

Upcoming Prescribed Burning Workshops

Interested in doing some broadcast burning? The Nevada County Resource Conservation District (RCD) offers a free prescribed fire education program to the community. They provide a variety of courses and hands-on workshops on the basics of prescribed burning. The idea is that you can learn to burn legally, safely, and responsibly in a way that improves fire safety and restores ecosystems.

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On November 15, RCD will be conducting a “Prepare to Burn” workshop (use this link to register). This is a 4-hour, hands-on workshop at a landowner’s property where they plan on burning. Learn about the steps to prepare for a prescribed burn including planning, preparing the site, and the permitting process. Learn about and practice locating a burn site, building control lines, what tools to use and when, and how to prepare a site for safe burning using techniques like selective pruning and ladder fuel removal. This workshop may turn into a Conduct a Burn Workshop! Registered attendees will be notified in advance if this occurs.

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Generator Safety

Fall is a good time to review generator safety. You’ll be ready for any windy day Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) and for upcoming winter weather.

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Reminders

Report your time and expenses for fire wise activities. This helps Greenhorn Firewise keep its NFPA certification, which can give you a discount on fire insurance. A full list of qualifying activities and expenses is available on the NFPA website. Our renewal application is due November 21, but any submissions that aren’t in before we report will count for next year.

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Defensible Space. Again, fire season isn’t over quite yet. We haven’t had much rain and fall can be windy. In addition, leaves, needles, and acorns are falling. So keep up your defensible space maintenance, especially in “zone zero” (within five feet of your structures).

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Go Bags. It’s a good idea to keep your go bags ready, but you should definitely check to make sure you have appropriate clothing for the fall weather, and maybe update your food, water, and any medications (for your family and pets).

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As always, keep up your situational awareness, especially on windy days.

• Be extra cautious on Red Flag Days and don’t let your gas tank get below half.

• Know your evacuation zone.

• Make sure you’re signed up for CodeRed alerts.

• Consult multiple information sources. Watch Duty and YubaNet are especially helpful.

Be ready to evacuate if needed.

• Review your evacuation plan. Familiarize yourself with alternate routes (including “unofficial” ones that may cross neighboring properties).

• Leaving early increases your chance of survival.

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