Nevada County’s primary communications provider was under fire during a wildfire preparedness update to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. During the public comment period, a rural resident, Ann Westling, pointed out that subscribers to Comcast’s internet, TV, and phone package no longer have landline phones which can stay on during a Public Safety Power Shutoff…

Comcast Government Affairs Director Phillip Arndt told the Board that PG and E now supplies generator power for the more populated areas of the county, including Grass Valley, Nevada City, and Truckee, but not for more isolated locations, citing a similar concern in El Dorado County recently…

Supervisor Sue Hoek also told Arndt that Comcast could do a better job of making sure people understand that its service package does not including landline phones. Meanwhile, as part of the preparedness presentation, the Board also approved extending the prohibition of outdoor burning during fire season in the Yuba River Corridor, as a pilot program.