Second phase implementation of reducing critical wildfire fuels in the south county has begun. And the so-called Ponderosa West Grass Valley Defense Zone Project is getting closer to completion. Nevada County Office of Emergency Services Manager, Paul Cummings, says 907 of the 12-hundred-37 acres have now been treated. The work is described as “shaded fuel breaks”…

Cummings says that would protect Grass Valley from an east-to-west moving wildfire, also including Alta Sierra. It’s along South Ponderosa Way from Highway 20 to McCourtney Road. Cummings says they’re still securing permissions from landowners on 270 acres…

Ponderosa West was identified by the state as among 35 priority projects statewide. It’s funded by a three-and-a-half million dollar CalFire grant.