Tuesday evening brought urgent evacuation orders to parts of Nevada County when the Kearney Fire started at 4:42 p.m. on Kearney Court in Penn Valley and rapidly expanded to 30 acres. Cal Fire and the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office issued mandatory evacuation orders for zones NCO-E010 and NCO-E011, with evacuation warnings extending to zones NCO-E017, NCO-E012, and NCO-E014. For residents in mandatory evacuation zones, leaving immediately is not optional — the threat is imminent and emergency officials need you out of the area.
Understanding the difference between an evacuation order and a warning matters. An evacuation order means you must leave your home right away due to direct threat to life and property. An evacuation warning, by contrast, means you should be packed and prepared to leave quickly, but you’re not yet required to go. Both require attention and readiness. Whether you’re under an order or warning, this is the time to grab important documents, medications, irreplaceable items, and get moving or get ready to move.
Fire season in California doesn’t hit pause, and the speed at which the Kearney Fire grew reminds us why preparedness isn’t optional. If you’re in Nevada County, now’s the moment to make sure you have an evacuation kit assembled, know two routes out of your neighborhood, and have a plan for where your family meets up if separated. Are you and your household prepared for an emergency evacuation?
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
