There’s no substitute for practicing drills, especially when it comes to ensuring clear communication between multiple law enforcement and fire protection agencies during an emergency situation.
That’s why a day-long “wildland urban interface” drill was conducted in April in Lake of the Pines and DarkHorse. And that’s why a second drill is taking place this Sunday in the Cement Hill, Champion Mine and Lake Vera-Purdon Road communities.
“It’s paramount that we work together,” Cal Fire Battalion Chief Matt Wallen said at the April drill, citing the need to adapt to increasingly aggressive fires. “Mother Nature’s not kind anymore. We’ve got to be prepared.” Fire departments from as far away as Wheatland and Tahoe, law enforcement officers and emergency personnel, volunteers from Nevada County Veterinary Disaster Response team and residents will be among the participants at Sunday’s exercise.