Photo of the week

Following the Stifel Palisades World Cup concert last weekend, actor and rapper Ludacris took this #PlacerLife photo with @placer_sheriff’s Office deputies to thank them for their assistance leaving the event.

Featured story

Severe winter storm slamming Placer County

According to the National Weather Service, a major winter storm is expected to bring extremely heavy mountain snow, foothill snow, strong winds and widespread rain to Placer County today through Sunday.

Our Placer County offices officially closed in the Tahoe area today at 3 p.m. and will remain closed through Saturday, March 2, to ensure the safety of the public and our employees during the current winter storm. This includes our Community Development Resource Agency, Department of Public Works engineering division, Health and Human Services, Tahoe City and Kings Beach libraries, Department of Probation, District Attorney’s Office and executive offices. Essential services and vote centers will continue operating throughout the storm.

Here are some resources you may find useful in the event of storm impacts:

- For emergencies call 9-1-1

- For information or non-emergency resources or assistance, call 2-1-1

- For reporting downed trees or localized flooding contact the Placer County Roads Division for non-emergencies at 530-745-7565 or pcroads@placer.ca.gov 

- For snow-load safety tips, click here

Our Roads Division is out in full force, prepared to take on the winter storm around the clock to help keep roads open for emergency services and voting. Watch video

CAL FIRE/Placer County Fire Department Chief Brian Estes shares what his unit is doing to prepare for the incoming blizzard, which is forecast to bring up to 100 inches of snow to the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada. Watch video

For the latest information, current weather, road conditions, power outages and more, visit our ReadyPlacer Dashboard, here.

West Placer

What’s up with all the mosquitoes in west Placer lately?

Rice field mosquitoes have been especially active in recent weeks in western Placer County. This species of mosquito does not spread disease in our community right now, but there are still things you can do to help fight the bite. Learn more

Community development

SMUD solar field will power west Placer, show how ag and solar can mix

Our Board of Supervisors took action Tuesday to approve a 1,170-acre solar panel facility that will provide power to SMUD customers in west Placer County - and showcase how agriculture and solar can thrive together. Read more

Elections

The Placer County Elections Office is “weather ready”

No matter how you choose to cast your ballot in the March 5, 2024 Presidential Primary, the Elections Office is here to assist you. With inclement weather on the way, be sure to look at your voting options and make a plan to vote. Learn more

North Lake Tahoe 

Traffic mobility takes a step forward in North Lake Tahoe with project funding approvals

Our Board of Supervisors approved additional funding for expanded mobility options in North Lake Tahoe as transient occupancy tax funds totaling nearly $2.8 million were finalized at their meeting last week. Learn more

In other news

Animal Services recognizes community donors who’ve helped expand low-cost spay and neutering program

Watch: Placer County offers update on the Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Plan

Leap into 🐶 Love: $29 Leap Day pet adoption special runs through March

Watch: Placer County Deputy CEO details strategic priorities in North Lake Tahoe

Placer County announces upcoming parking and mobility hub meetings in Kings Beach

This week in Placer County history

On March 1, 1888, Auburn Firehouse #1 received a new rattler hose cart to help their volunteer firemen fight fires. The cart, although it could be drawn by horse, was typically drawn by men. It came with a brass coupling that could split the flow of water into two separate streams.

Auburn was no stranger to fires, and several have scorched the small city. Two of the worst, which centered in what is now Old Town Auburn, occurred in 1855 and in 1905. The tools and methods to fight fires have evolved over time. Makeshift bucket brigades where a bucket of water drawn from a well was handed from person to person, the last tossing the contents onto the flames, were mostly ineffective. Later in the 19th century, organized volunteer fire departments, fire hydrants and hose carts greatly improved a city’s ability to fight fires.

The new rattler hose cart was described in the March 3, 1888, Placer Herald as:

“…a beauty. It has as many pretty fixtures as a lady’s toilet service. The wheels are 6 feet high, of a rich cream color, and striped. All the mountings are nickel-plated. The bell, by a special attachment, will ring twice with every revolution of the wheels. The hose reel can be turned by a crank, which is an improvement over the old carts.”

The article went on to describe the toolbox attachment and a space for an ax and a crowbar. The hose itself had a special connector to attach to a ladder.

Auburn Firehouse #1 was built in 1888 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It is on the corner of El Dorado Street and Lincoln Way.

Photo: Auburn Hose Company #1 at Firehouse #1 with the rattler hose cart, c. 1890

Fun things to do this week

Don’t miss the fun coming this next week in...

Roseville: City of Roseville Career Fair, Movie Club @ Downtown Library
Lincoln: Fowler Ranch Certified Farmers’ Market
Auburn: Auburn Winds: Steppin’ Out For Spring
North Lake Tahoe: Alpenglow Winter Speaker Series – Dave Nettle

...and many Placer County Library and Placer County Museum events.

Visit our regional partners to discover more of the fun happening right here in Placer County!

Placer County Visitors' Bureau
North Tahoe Community Alliance
Tahoe City Downtown Association
The Arts Council of Placer County
Placer Valley Tourism
PlacerGROWN
Placer Wine Trail

Find current state COVID-19 guidance, along with local data and resources, here.

Advisory committees and commissions

Whether it’s representing your community or sharing your expertise on topics like agriculture or parks, there are always opportunities for you to help advise county leaders on the issues that matter to you most. Recruitment is open now to fill seats on the following committees or commissions, among others. Learn more and apply

Current recruitments include:

• Building Appeals Board
• Library Advisory Board
• Placer County Child Care Advisory Council
• Gold Run Cemetery District
• Placer Sierra Fire Safe Council
• Mental Health Alcohol and Drug Advisory Board 
• Agricultural Commission
• Civil Service Commission 
• County Audit Committee
• Housing Development Advisory Taskforce
• Placer County Child Care Advisory

Upcoming public meetings and events

Foresthill Forum, March 4, 6 p.m. Info
CANCELED - Olympic Valley Municipal Advisory Council meeting, March 7 Info

To learn about other Placer County committees and commissions and current opportunities to serve your community click here.

List of active projects throughout Placer County

Projects are listed alphabetically and by Board of Supervisors districts. A hard copy of the list is available at the Placer County Community Development Resource Agency, 3091 County Center Drive in Auburn. 

Active Projects

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