Nevada County OES Coordinator Speaks at State Capitol on Wildfire Prevention

Alessandra Zambrano addressed California's growing wildfire threat and the success of the Wildfire County Coordinator Program in Nevada County.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Alessandra Zambrano, the Nevada County Office of Emergency Services (OES) Wildfire County Coordinator, spoke at a press conference at the State Capitol about California's increasing wildfire risk. Zambrano joined state lawmakers and wildfire resilience leaders to announce a comprehensive wildfire prevention package, including the Wildfire County Coordinator Program, a proven program delivered by the California Fire Safe Council in partnership with CAL FIRE.

Why it matters

The Wildfire County Coordinator Program has been an integral component in transforming Nevada County into a leader in wildfire planning, preparedness, and mitigation, recognized by state and federal partners. The program gives agency to communities, allowing them to guide wildfire resilience solutions that address local hazards and priorities.

The details

Zambrano highlighted how the County Coordinator Program has fostered innovation, supported community-driven solutions, helped secure over $12 million in landscape-scale mitigation investments, and strengthened local capacity in Nevada County. The program is part of the California Climate Investments initiative, which puts Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment.

  • On Wednesday, Zambrano spoke at the press conference at the State Capitol.
  • Nevada County OES has been a participant in the Wildfire County Coordinator Program since 2021.

The players

Alessandra Zambrano

The Nevada County Office of Emergency Services (OES) Wildfire County Coordinator.

Nevada County Office of Emergency Services (OES)

Leads the community in all hazards planning, preparedness, response, and recovery with a focus on wildfire.

California Fire Safe Council

A partner organization that delivers the Wildfire County Coordinator Program.

CAL FIRE

A partner organization that works with the California Fire Safe Council on the Wildfire County Coordinator Program.

Alex Keeble-Toll

The OES Director for Nevada County.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“One of the greatest challenges of the wildfire problem is that there is no one-size-fits-all solution nor one scale at which resilience must be built. The County Coordinator Program gives agency to communities, allowing them to guide wildfire resilience solutions that not only address the wildfire hazards but also prioritize protecting resources and values that make their counties home. In Nevada County, this program has acted as a catalyst. It has fostered innovation at all scales, supported community-driven solutions, helped secure more than $12 million in landscape-scale mitigation investments, and helped strengthen local capacity. Most importantly, it has given not just Nevada County, but County Coordinators across the state, hope for a wildfire-resilient future.”

— Alessandra Zambrano, Nevada County Office of Emergency Services (OES) Wildfire County Coordinator (yubanet.com)

“This program has been an integral component in transforming the Nevada County into a leader in wildfire planning and preparedness, and mitigation, recognized by our state and federal partners.”

— Alex Keeble-Toll, OES Director, Nevada County (yubanet.com)

What’s next

The 2025 CAL FIRE County Coordinator Grant, a program of the Community Wildfire Preparedness Project, is part of California Climate Investments and will continue to provide funding and support for the Wildfire County Coordinator Program across the state.

The takeaway

The Wildfire County Coordinator Program has empowered Nevada County to develop innovative, community-driven solutions to address its unique wildfire risks, serving as a model for other counties in California to build resilience and preparedness against the growing threat of catastrophic wildfires.