1 City of Portola
AGENDA
Regular Meeting
July 08, 2026 06:00 PM
35 Third Ave, Portola, CA 96122
https://www.cityofportola.com/
https://zoom.us/j/3583067836
Mayor Bill Powers • Mayor Pro Tem Mikki Battaglia • Councilmember Jim Murphy • Councilmember Lauren Miller • Councilmember Stephan Mangum
City Manager Ryan Bonk
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
The City Council welcomes you to its meetings which are regularly held the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the City Hall Council Chambers. Your interest and participation is encouraged and welcome.
As a courtesy, the City Council meeting is also accessible to the public via live streaming at:
https://zoom.us/j/3583067836 or by phone at: Phone Number 1.669.900.6833; Meeting ID: 358 306 7836. Online and telephonic access does not guarantee the public the ability to observe the meeting in the event there is a disruption or connectivity issues that affect broadcasting.
Members of the public who want to be assured that they have the ability to observe the meeting and make comment during the meeting, should attend the meeting in-person.
Any person desiring to address the City Council or any committee, commission or agency under the jurisdiction of the City Council, on any item not on the agenda may do so during public comment period. Public comment during the meeting will be accepted in person only. Public Comment can be made on the online agenda by clicking on the "comment" section next to each agenda item listed below.
Agenda backup materials can be viewed by selecting the 'View Item' link on the agenda below, at https://civassist.com/district/49/agenda in the agenda packet for the specific meeting date, or in person at City Hall, 35 Third Avenue, Portola, California, during regular business hours.
Meeting facilities are accessible to persons with disabilities. Reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate the participation of persons with disabilities in the City’s public meetings. If special accommodation is needed, please notify the City at 530.832.6801 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
1. Call to Order
A. Roll Call
B. Pledge of Allegiance
2 2. Public Comments
Discussion Comment
This section is intended to provide members of the public with an opportunity to comment on any subject that does not appear on this agenda. Please note that California law prohibits the City Council from taking action on any matter which is not on the posted agenda, unless it is determined to be an urgency item by the City Council. Any member of the public wishing to address the City Council during “PUBLIC COMMENT” shall first secure permission of the presiding officer, stand; may give his/her name and address to the Clerk for the record. Each person addressing the City Council shall be limited to five minutes ordinarily, unless the presiding officer indicates a different amount will be allotted.
3. City Communications
Discussion Comment View Item
A. City Council Communications
B. Reports: Beckwourth Peak Fire Protection District / Plumas County Sheriff / Northern Sierra Air Quality
C. Staff Communications
D. City Manager Report
4. Consent Agenda
Discussion Possible Action Comment View Item
These items are expected to be routine and non-controversial. The City Council will act upon them at one time without discussion. Any Councilmembers, staff member or interested party may request that an item be removed from the consent agenda for discussion. Additional budget appropriations will require a four/fifths roll call vote.
A. Claims:
Adopt Resolution No. 2663. The resolution authorizes payment of payroll from June 13th, 2026 through June 26th, 2026 and accounts payable from June 25th, 2026 through July 8th, 2026 The amount of payroll to be paid is $55,927.65
The amount of accounts payable to be paid is $159,933.59 The total amount to be paid is $215,861.24
B. Minutes
Adopt the minutes of the June 24th, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting.
5. Wildland Fire Evacuation Exercise
Discussion Comment View Item
Council to receive update on the planned wildland fire evacuation exercise scheduled for 07/16/2026. Council to provide feedback on materials attached to the staff report ahead of planned drill.
6. Bank Account Signature Authorization and Removal
3 Discussion Possible Action Comment
Staff proposes that the Council take action on the following pertaining to bank account signature authorization for the City's Plumas Bank Account ending in 8288:
Add: William Powers, Councilmember
Remove: Pat Morton, Former Councilmember
7. Ad Hoc Committee Consideration
Discussion Possible Action Comment
Council to consider creation of an Ad Hoc committee to review the Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) funding. Mayor to consider appointments to the ad hoc committee in the event an ad hoc committee is created to review the potential allocation available to the City.
8. Adjournment
Document Name City Manager Report
Document Number F-035 Revision Letter A
Document Location SharePoint Revision Date 12/06/2024
Document Type Form Council Adoption Date Not Applicable Resolution No. Not Applicable
Page
1 | 4
City Manager Report
07/08/2026
General Updates
Gulling Street Bridge
• No alarm thresholds were triggered by the continuous monitoring equipment Caltrans Inspection:
Caltrans performed initial inspection on 01/27/2026
Staff waiting for final report from Caltrans
• Reached out on 02/23/26 for update
• Reached out again on 04/02/26
• Received response from Caltrans on 05/01/26
• Awaiting final inspection report from Caltrans and the update on their additional analysis (3D finite element
analysis).
o Caltrans has stated that the 3D finite analysis
will not be started until mid-June.
• Staff will continue to follow up directly with Caltrans Phase 2:
Structural Rehabilitation Funding Applications
1. Caltrans Highway Bridge Program (HBP)
2. United States Department of Transportation
3. Federal Highway Administration(FHWA)
o Caltrans HBP Next Steps:
HBP Manager confirmed we are on the 2026 HBP Project
Prioritization- OFF SYSTEM list categorized as a “Priority 1”. We are the 4th project in line for funding on the list (see list attached to CM report)
Document Name City Manager Report
Document Number F-035 Revision Letter A
Document Location SharePoint Revision Date 12/06/2024
Document Type Form Council Adoption Date Not Applicable Resolution No. Not Applicable
Page
2 | 4
• The program works by taking the total funding received and starting at the top of the list funding as many
projects as possible with funds available
• The Federal status of funds is currently unknown. Given this, the HBP Managers are not committing to funding
any bridges on the prioritization lists until funding is known.
• Staff will continue to monitor the situation for any
changes and will continue to follow up with our
contacts at Caltrans
• Additionally, staff have reached out to our advocates at the League of California Cities to bring the matter to
their attention and to request appropriate lobbying on
behalf of the City
• 5/1/26 Update: Caltrans Program Manager stated that
“short of a new Transportation Bill being passed by the Federal government, I don’t think we will hear anything on the matter until after February 2027.”
• 06/16/26: Staff met with Senator Schiff’s office to
indicate the criticality of this funding to our region.
Senator Schiff’s office made note to address our
concerns at the Federal level.
o USDOT Next Steps:
Grant application for Preliminary Engineering costs under the United States Department of Transportation Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program was submitted on 02/23/2026
Applicants were told we would be notified of status in June of 2026. The program has not released the awards yet.
o Federal Highway Administration(FHWA) Next Steps:
On 06/18/2026 Caltrans made staff aware of a potential grant available through the FHWA for Type 3 Highway Bridge
Replacement
The grant had a due date of 07/16/2026
Staff applied to this program on 06/18/2026
Document Name City Manager Report
Document Number F-035 Revision Letter A
Document Location SharePoint Revision Date 12/06/2024
Document Type Form Council Adoption Date Not Applicable Resolution No. Not Applicable
Page
3 | 4
Agency has received our application, and the projected award date is around 08/31/2026
Funding is 100% federally funded
Community Events & Outreach
Town Hall with Plumas County Supervisor Ceresola
• Event is scheduled for Wednesday July 29th from 5:30pm-7:30pm at Veterans Memorial Hall in Portola
• Messaging has gone out via City’s Facebook page and website • Staff will request that Plumas Sun provide a press release on the event closer to the event
Public Works
• 07/01/2026: Water line repair underway on north end of town that impacted a specific portion of the water system
o Valve replacement required
o Messaging went out to residents via Public Works staff handouts directly to affected residences, City website, City Facebook, and PCSO Genasys system
• Golden Springs non potable water line installation is in process • Riverwalk yoga & meditation garden (grant funded) work has been planned o Work to commence in the following weeks
Administration
• Accounting Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
o Staff have taken roughly 20 individual work instructions for the position and have combined them into a single SOP
o Outlines all core duties of the position in a single document with screenshots detailing actions to be taken in each system/portal o Document is shared on our SharePoint and is continually updated by staff as processes change
Document Name City Manager Report
Document Number F-035 Revision Letter A
Document Location SharePoint Revision Date 12/06/2024
Document Type Form Council Adoption Date Not Applicable Resolution No. Not Applicable
Page
4 | 4
• Code Enforcement SOP
o Draft currently in review by staff
• Utility Billing Policy
o Staff is reviewing and making edits to current Utility Billing Policy o Expects to have the revised policy before the Council for consideration before the end of this year
• City Performance Metrics/Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) o Process began in 2025
o Staff have continued to measure various data points on service delivery and organizational efficiency
o Staff is compiling and reviewing data for presentation to the Council in the future
Resolution No. 2663 July 8th, 2026
RESOLUTION NO. 2663
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORTOLA
AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF CLAIMS FOR PAYROLL FOR THE PERIOD JUNE 13TH, 2026, THROUGH JUNE 26TH, 2026 AND ACCOUNTS
PAYABLE FROM
JUNE 25TH, 2026, THROUGH JULY 8TH, 2026
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Portola has been fully advised that all such claims and demands are legal obligations of the City; and, WHEREAS, the City Council has fully considered the claims, and money demands and payment thereof as set forth below and in "Exhibit A" attached hereto and incorporated herein.
Check Nos: Amount
48269 - 48832 $159,933.59
48279, 48321 VOID
Total Accounts Payable $159,933.59
Payroll:
6/13/2026 – 6/26/2026 $55,927.65
Total Payroll $55,927.65
Total Claims $215,861.24
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 8th day of July by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
William Powers, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
Kristen Schiavone, Deputy City Clerk
I, Kristen Schiavone, Deputy City Clerk of the City of Portola, do hereby certify that the above and foregoing Resolution was duly passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Portola at a regular meeting thereof held on July 8th, 2026.
________________________________
Kristen Schiavone, Deputy City Clerk
Exhibit A
1 City of Portola
MINUTES
Regular Meeting
June 24, 2026 06:00 PM
35 Third Ave, Portola, CA 96122
https://www.cityofportola.com/
https://zoom.us/j/3583067836
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Mayor Bill Powers.
1. Roll Call
Present: Mayor Bill Powers, Councilmember Jim Murphy, Councilmember Stephan Mangum
Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Mikki Battaglia, Councilmember Lauren Miller Staff Present: City Manager Ryan Bonk, Finance Officer Susan Scarlett, Administrative Services Manager Kristen Schiavone, City Attorney Steve Gross (Zoom),
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Led by Mayor Bill Powers
2. Public Comments
3. City Communications
1. City Council Communications
Councilmember Mangum had nothing to report.
Councilmember Murphy had nothing to report.
Mayor Powers attended the Plumas County Transportation meeting on June 15th. He attended the State General Justice Administration Advisory Council meeting on June 22nd. Next week he will attend the Lassen-Plumas-Sierra Community Action Agency meeting.
2. Reports: Beckwourth Peak Fire Protection District / Plumas County Sheriff / Northern Sierra Air Quality
Beckwourth Peak Fire Protection District - No report.
Plumas County Sheriff - No report.
Northern Sierra Air Quality - No report.
3. Staff Communications
2 No report.
4. City Manager Report
City Manager Bonk spoke about an upcoming live fire evacuation drill in the City of Portola.
Various agencies throughout the county have participated in the planning of this live drill. A final planning meeting will be held on July 13th. The live drill will take place on July 16th, 2026, at 10:15am, at which time an evacuation alert will be announced as a drill through the Genasys alert system. The idea is that city residents evacuate to the designated evacuation area and are then polled on how they received the evacuation notification. The Incident Command Center will be at City Hall, and a follow-up meeting among the agencies involved will take place immediately after the drill to discuss what worked and what can be improved. Businesses located in the City of Portola are not required to participate in this live drill. An informational flyer will be distributed to the community soon, explaining the purpose of the drill.
Advised that the soap, paper towel, and toilet paper dispensers have been replaced in public restrooms at City Hall and the Park to improve efficiency of consumable items such as soap and paper products.
4. Consent Agenda
1. Claims:
Adopt Resolution No. 2662. The resolution authorizes payment of payroll from May 30th, 2026 through June 12th, 2026 and accounts payable from June 11th, 2026 through June 24th, 2026 The amount of payroll to be paid is $45,519.89
The amount of accounts payable to be paid is $105,045.32 The total amount to be paid is $147,565.21
2. Minutes
Adopt the minutes of the June 10th, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting.
Councilmember Jim Murphy motioned to approve. Councilmember Stephan Mangum seconded the motion.
The roll call vote:
Aye Mayor Bill Powers Aye Councilmember Jim Murphy Aye Councilmember Stephan Mangum Absent Mayor Pro Tem Mikki Battaglia Absent Councilmember Lauren Miller
5. Financial & Budget Resolutions: GANN Limit (Appropriations Limit), Investment Policy, Pay Schedules and CCR 570.5, and 2026-2027 Operating Budget Adoption City Manager Ryan Bonk presented an overview of the 2026-2027 budget. Finance Officer Susan Scarlett discussed each resolution separately.
There was no public comment.
Each resolution was voted on separately and unanimously approved by Mayor Powers, Councilmember Murphy, and Councilmember Mangum. Mayor Pro Tem Battaglia and Councilmember Miller were absent.
3 Resolution 2658 motion to approve by Councilmember Murphy and seconded by Councilmember Mangum
Resolution 2659 motion to approve by Councilmember Murphy and seconded by Councilmember Mangum
Resolution 2660 motion to approve by Councilmember Murphy and seconded by Councilmember Mangum
Resolution 2661 motion to approve by Councilmember Murphy and seconded by Councilmember Mangum
Councilmember Jim Murphy motioned to approve. Councilmember Stephan Mangum seconded the motion.
The roll call vote:
Aye Mayor Bill Powers Aye Councilmember Jim Murphy Aye Councilmember Stephan Mangum Absent Mayor Pro Tem Mikki Battaglia Absent Councilmember Lauren Miller
6. 2026 Election Cycle Resolutions: Rescinded and Revised Resolutions City Manager Bonk explained that the two resolutions before the council were to rescind Resolutions 2649 and 2650 and adopt Resolution 2657 and 2658 which correctly call out for the election of two councilmember seats for the full term of four years and the election of one councilmember seat for the remainder of the term vacated by the resignation of Pat Morton on April 8th, 2026.
Councilmember Jim Murphy motioned to approve. Councilmember Stephan Mangum seconded the motion.
The roll call vote:
Aye Mayor Bill Powers Aye Councilmember Jim Murphy Aye Councilmember Stephan Mangum
7. Adjournment
The regular meeting of the Portola City Council adjourned at 6:33pm.
1 MEETING DATE: July 8, 2026
AGENDA ITEM: 5. Wildland Fire Evacuation Exercise
FROM: Ryan Bonk
RE: Wildland Fire Evacuation Exercise
BACKGROUND:
Beginning in May of 2026, all stakeholders have met multiple times to plan a wildland fire evacuation exercise that would involve portions of the City of Portola. The impetus of this endeavor is for all stakeholders to participate in a live evacuation drill to better prepare all parties in the event of a real-life evacuation that would be required.
The exercise, titled “Operation Gold Fire,” is a combined functional exercise and tabletop exercise simulating a rapidly expanding wildland fire threatening the communities of Gold Mountain, Nakoma, Iron Horse, and southwest Portola. Participating agencies include the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office, Beckwourth Peak Fire Protection District, City of Portola, USFS Plumas National Forest, CAL FIRE, Plumas County Office of Emergency Services, CHP, Caltrans, Eastern Plumas Health Care, Portola Unified School District, Plumas Sierra Electric & Telecom, Liberty Utilities, Gold Mountain CSD, Nakoma HOA, local Firewise USA committees, and volunteer/CERT organizations.
The exercise is designed to validate evacuation procedures, emergency public notification systems (including the Genasys alert system), traffic management, shelter/temporary refuge operations, interagency communications, and healthcare coordination, and to identify gaps that can be addressed prior to a real evacuation event.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The evacuation exercise is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, July 16, 2026, beginning at 1000 hours and running approximately four hours (functional exercise, tabletop discussion, and hotwash). The project team will hold a final preparation meeting on July 13, 2026, at City Hall.
As part of the exercise, City staff have coordinated resident-facing communication and outreach for the South Portola area, including distribution of information through the City’s Facebook page and website, direct email to residents signed up for notifications, and in-person outreach. Participation by residents is voluntary.
2 Attached to this staff report are the full details of the exercise, including:
1. Exercise Plan (ExPlan) for Operation Gold Fire
2. Executive-Level Overview of Communications Plan for Residents
3. Flyer informing the public of the exercise
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Council review the materials and provide any feedback prior to the final planning meeting on 07/13/2026. Any additional comments and feedback from the Council will be relayed to the project team.
ATTACHMENTS:
A. EXPLAN OPERATION GOLD FIRE - FINAL 06 23 2026
B. EVAC EXEC OVERVIEW COUNCIL
C. PUBLIC FLYER
ExPlan
for
Operation Gold Fire
July 16, 2026
Operation Gold Fire – Wildland Fire Exercise Final Version 06 23 2026 2 City of Portola Exercise and
Evaluation Program
Exercise Plan (ExPlan) Outline
Gold Mountain Wildland Fire
This scenario aligns well with FEMA’s HSEEP methodology and ICS/NIMS principles and can serve as the basis for a county-wide interagency wildfire preparedness exercise.
Functional Exercise (FE) and Tabletop Exercise (TTX)
Exercise Title: Gold Fire 2026
Exercise Type: Combined Functional Exercise and Tabletop Exercise Location: Gold Mountain / Nakoma / Iron Horse / City of Portola, California Primary Agencies:
• Plumas County Sheriff’s Office
• Beckwourth Peak Fire Protection District
• City of Portola
• USFS Plumas National Forest
• California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection • Plumas County Office of Emergency Services
• CHP
• Cal Trans
• Eastern Plumas Health Care
• Portola Unified School District
• Plumas Sierra Electric & Telecom
• Liberty Utilities
• Gold Mountain CSD
• Nakoma HOA
• Local Firewise USA Committees
• Volunteer organizations and CERT teams
Operation Gold Fire – Wildland Fire Exercise Final Version 06 23 2026 3 Exercise Date: July 16, 2026
Exercise Start Time: 1000 Hours
Duration: Approximately 4 hours
• Functional Exercise: 90 minutes
• Tabletop Discussion: 2 hours
• Hotwash: 30 minutes
I. Purpose
To evaluate the coordinated response capabilities of local, county, national and partner agencies during a rapidly expanding wildland fire threatening the communities of Gold Mountain, Nakoma, Iron Horse, and southwest Portola.
The exercise will validate evacuation procedures, emergency public notification systems, traffic management, shelter operations, interagency communications, and healthcare coordination.
II. Core Capabilities
Prevention
• Public Information and Warning
Protection
• Operational Coordination
Response – Tabletop
• Critical Transportation
• Operational Communications
• Situational Assessment
• Environmental Response/Health and Safety
• Temporary Refuge Areas and/or Mass Care Services
• Community Resilience
Operation Gold Fire – Wildland Fire Exercise Final Version 06 23 2026 4 III. Exercise Objectives
Objective 1
Demonstrate unified command and ICS integration among participating agencies.
Objective 2
Activate and assess the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office Genasys Emergency Notification System for evacuation warnings and orders.
Objective 3
Coordinate evacuation of threatened populations from:
• Gold Mountain
• Nakoma
• Iron Horse
• Southwest Portola
• Unincorporated Portola, Delleker and Mabie
Objective 4
Evaluate traffic management and route control operations.
Objective 5
Establish and operate a temporary evacuation check-in at Portola High School where evacuees can report upon arrival and document their participation in the evacuation drill, enabling accountability, attendance tracking, and evaluation of evacuation procedures.
This will be a drive through check-in process. Drive in one way where the buses load and out the other. (Or line up on the street starting in front of the cafeteria if there are a lot of evacuees.) Volunteers to obtain their name, address and phone number, how many pets they would have and any access & functional needs. Check-in sheets will be provided and returned to the Exercise Controller when mission complete.
Objective 6
Assess decision-making regarding escalation to additional evacuation warnings affecting:
Operation Gold Fire – Wildland Fire Exercise Final Version 06 23 2026 5 • Eastern Plumas Health Care (EPHC)
• Remaining portions of Portola
• Delleker
• Mabie
IV. Scenario Narrative
Initial Conditions
Date: Mid-July
Weather:
• Temperature: 98°F
• Relative Humidity: 12%
• Winds: SW 20 mph, gusting to 35 mph
• Red Flag Warning in effect
At 1005 hours, multiple 911 callers report smoke near the eastern boundary of Gold Mountain adjacent to forested open space. Initial responding units discover a fastmoving vegetation fire with active crown runs and spotting ahead of the fire.
Within 30 minutes, the incident expands to approximately 250 acres with predicted rapid growth toward residential areas.
Unified Command is established.
V. Functional Exercise (FE)
Operational Timeline
Inject 1 — 1015 hrs
Fire reaches 250 acres.
Expected Actions:
Operation Gold Fire – Wildland Fire Exercise Final Version 06 23 2026 6 • Establish Incident Command.
• Notify Plumas OES.
• Request law enforcement support.
• Activate EOC monitoring.
Inject 2 — 1030 hrs
Fire behavior analysts predict structure threat to Nakoma and Iron Horse.
Expected Actions:
• Unified Command recommends evacuation order be issued. • Sheriff’s Office initiates Genasys emergency alert & notification. • Public messaging coordinated through Joint Information System.
Genesis Notification Messages
Pre-Exercise Notification:
A message will be sent prior to the exercise for residents of Nakoma, Iron Horse, and the southwest portion of Portola notifying them of the upcoming planned exercise.
Evacuation Order:
DRAFT LANGUAGE: “This is a drill only. The Plumas County Sheriff’s Office has issued an immediate evacuation order for residents of Nakoma, Iron Horse, and the southwest portion of Portola due to a rapidly advancing wildland fire. Leave immediately to Portola High School for check-in. Monitor official emergency information sources for updates.
This is a drill only.”
Evacuation Warning:
• DRAFT LANGUAGE: “The Plumas County Sheriff’s Office is issuing an evacuation warning for the City of Portola, Eastern Plumas Health Care (EPHC) the remaining portions of Portola and unincorporated Portola, Delleker and town of Mabie.”
Operation Gold Fire – Wildland Fire Exercise Final Version 06 23 2026 7 Inject 3 — 1045 hrs
Heavy outbound traffic develops.
Simulated issues:
• Disabled vehicle blocks one lane on the S. Gulling-Feather River bridge. • Residents request alternate routes.
• Tourists unfamiliar with the area require assistance.
Expected Actions:
• Traffic control points established.
• Mutual aid law enforcement requested.
• Public works notified for barricades and signage.
Inject 4 — 1100 hrs
Shelter/TRA operations initiated.
Expected Actions:
• Establish and operate a temporary evacuation check-in at Portola High School. • Coordinate staffing.
• Establish a check-in process using a sign-in sheet.
• Record the arrival time and participation of all evacuees. • Maintain communication between the evacuation site and exercise controllers. • Establish temporary animal/pet control area.
• Address ADA and functional needs support.
• Firewise and CERT teams – volunteers to assist.
VI. Transition to Tabletop Exercise
Fire expands beyond initial containment efforts. Current simulated fire size:
• 1,500 acres
• Multiple spot fires ahead of fire front. Spotting beginning to occur in Iron Horse but main fire not yet crossing County Route A15.
• No structures yet involved.
Operation Gold Fire – Wildland Fire Exercise Final Version 06 23 2026 8 • Winds increasing heading southeast
VII. Tabletop Exercise Discussion
Situation Update
Fire projections indicate spread toward central Portola within six hours.
Smoke impacts are affecting vulnerable populations.
Eastern Plumas Health Care administration requests guidance regarding possible patient movement.
Discussion Module 1:
Traffic Management
Questions:
• Are evacuation routes sufficient?
• How are choke points identified?
• What agency controls traffic resources?
• How are stranded motorists handled?
• How are roadways kept clear of stalled vehicles? What signage is used to direct evacuees to TRA’s?
Discussion Module 2:
Shelter Operations
• Plumas County OES process to activate Shelter Operations. • Locations identified & setup
• Plumas County Social Services shelter operations
• Operations the first 24-48 hours
• Operations after 48 hours
Operation Gold Fire – Wildland Fire Exercise Final Version 06 23 2026 9 • Red Cross
• Security
• Medical/Behavioral Health Support
• Pet sheltering
Discussion Module 3:
Healthcare Evacuation
Scenario:
Smoke infiltration begins affecting EPHC HVAC systems.
Discussion:
• Who recommends hospital evacuation?
• What transportation assets are available?
• What is the pre-established relocation facility?
• How are medically fragile patients prioritized?
• How is continuity of care maintained?
Discussion Module 4:
Expanded Evacuation Warnings and Orders
Unified Command receives updated fire modeling.
Consider issuing evacuation orders for:
• Remaining City of Portola
• Additional rural subdivisions – unincorporated Portola • Delleker and Mabie
Discussion:
• Decision triggers.
• Public messaging.
• Coordination with schools and businesses.
• Management of spontaneous evacuees.
• Identify new evacuee remote shelters and animal shelter locations
Operation Gold Fire – Wildland Fire Exercise Final Version 06 23 2026 10 VIII. Major Issues for Evaluation
Incident Command
• Unified Command effectiveness
• Span of control
• Resource ordering
Communications
• Establish Command frequency
• Interoperability (Command and Tactical)
• Radio discipline
• Information sharing
• Additional com resources (mobile repeater units)
• Fuel management for com and cell emergency power sources Public Warning
• Genasys activation
• Message clarity
• Redundancy through media and social platforms
Evacuation
• Decision timing
• Route management
• Special populations
Shelter/TRA Operations
• Plumas County OES process to activate Shelter Operations. • Locations identified & setup
• Plumas County Social Services shelter operations
• Operations the first 24-48 hours
• Operations after 48 hours
• Red Cross
• Security
• Medical/Behavioral Health Support
• Pet sheltering
Operation Gold Fire – Wildland Fire Exercise Final Version 06 23 2026 11 Healthcare Coordination
• EPHC liaison integration
• Patient movement planning
• Power failure considerations
• Medical surge considerations
Utilities and Telecom Systems
• Determine power shut down
• Identify power shut down impacts including EPHC, radio repeater(s) and cell sites.
• Identify telecom systems, cell service and repeater impacts IX. Exercise Artificialities
• No actual deployment of apparatus.
• Simulated weather updates provided by controllers.
• Resource requests managed through exercise control.
• No actual opening or staffing evacuation shelter(s) except check in/out volunteers at functional evacuation site (Portola High School). • No actual evacuation of members and guests of the Nakoma Resort.
X. Hotwash Discussion
Participants will identify:
Strengths
• Practices that worked well.
Areas for Improvement
• Gaps requiring corrective action.
Operation Gold Fire – Wildland Fire Exercise Final Version 06 23 2026 12 Recommended Corrective Actions
• Agency responsible.
• Recommendations for establishing alternate operations, pre-plans, and checklists.
• Completion target date.
XI. Expected Deliverables
• Participant Sign-In Rosters
• Incident Action Plan (Exercise Version)
• Communications Log
• Shelter/TRA Operations Log
• Genasys Notification Samples
• Controller/Evaluator Handbook
• After Action Report / Improvement Plan (AAR/IP)
Exercise End State
At the conclusion of the tabletop, Unified Command recommends:
• Maintaining evacuation orders for Nakoma, Iron Horse, and southwest Portola. • Issuing evacuation warnings for the remainder of Portola, Portola unincorporated area, Delleker and Mabie.
• Preparing for possible evacuation of Eastern Plumas Health Care. • Continuing shelter operations at Portola High School while planning for longerterm relocation.
Joint Emergency
Wildland Fire Evacuation Exercise
Executive-Level Overview of
Communications Plan for Residents
Evacuation Date: July 16, 2026
Prepared by: Deborah Newton, Instructional Designer ~ 415.233.1801 Evac Executive Overview Page 38
Primary Agencies:
• Plumas County Sheriff’s Office
• Beckwourth Peak Fire Protection District
• City of Portola
• USFS Plumas National Forest
• CalFire
• Plumas County Office of Emergency Services
• CHP
• Cal Trans
• Eastern Plumas Health Care
• Portola Unified School District
• Plumas Sierra Electric & Telecom
• Liberty Utilities
• Gold Mountain CSD
• Nakoma HOA
• Local Firewise USA Committees
• Volunteer organizations and CERT teams
Key Dates:
PRE-EVAC MEETING:
Monday, July 13, 2026
Planning Meeting #4 ~ City Hall
Facilitated by: OES & Forrest Craig
EVAC DAY:
Thursday, July 16, 2026
10:00 am — TBD
Evacuation Exercise
Facilitators: OES & Forrest Craig
Hotwash and Working Lunch
12:00 — 1:00pm
POST-EVAC REPORT:
Information consolidated into:
After Action Report
Compiled by: TBD
For more information:
See the 15-page Exercise Plan
(ExPlan) for Operation Gold Fire or
Contact Forrest Craig
email: [email protected]
cell: 415.755.7394
Wildland Fire Evacuation Exercise
Method: Tabletop Exercise (TTX):
Agencies will meet at City Hall on
Evacuation Day and conduct a discussionbased simulation where they "talk through" their response to this hypothetical
evacuation. This will be done real-time as
residents are evacuating.
Exercise Purpose:
To evaluate the coordinated
response capabilities of local,
county, and partner agencies
during a rapidly expanding
wildland fire threatening the
communities of Portola,
Nakoma, and Iron Horse.
The exercise helps build
preparedness by identifying
bottlenecks in local
infrastructure and provides
residents with the opportunity
to practice a mock evacuation
so they an react calmly if a
disaster strikes.
The exercise will identify gaps in
emergency plans and test team
coordination.
Level 1: Agency Exercise
2: Evac Executive Overview Page 39
Wildland Fire Evacuation Exercise
Focus Areas:
These seven areas are critical to the success of this exercise and future evacuations. See sample of materials page 6.
Exercise Purpose: To ensure residents and first responders can safely and efficiently “clear” our area during a wildfire emergency. The exercise helps build preparedness by identifying bottlenecks in local infrastructure and helping residents react calmly when a disaster strikes. Participation is voluntary.
Level 2: Resident Communication / Outreach
Pre-Exercise Post-Exercise
Resident
Outreach
1 Event
Signage
2 Genasys
Alerts
3 Reflective
Address
Signs
7 Check Point
Sign-In
4 Resident
Lessons
Learned
5 After Action
Debriefs
6 During Exercise
3: Evac Executive Overview Page 40
Resident Emails
Sent by: Kathy Kogge, Firewise GM
1. Email #1: Send Monday, June 29
• Save-the-Date postcard
• To: Firewise List
2. Email #2: Send Thursday, July 2
• Cover Letter (in email?)
• .pdf attachment with 4 handouts
3. Email #3: Send Thursday, July 9
• Reminder postcard
• Resend .pdf attachment
Resident Paper Packets
Distributed by: Deb, Forrest, Rick,
& Helpers
Packet Distribution: July 2-3
• Distribute packets of the
same email content to
approx. 104 homesteads
• Note: Pick-up packets from
porches 2 days after event
Resident Communication Outreach Plans
Distributed by: Juliette Brennan,
HOA Treasurer
• Posters: 5 posters placed around
Iron Horse; distributed by Juliette
• Emails: No emails
• Resident Packets:
• Distribute: June 30 / July 1-2
NAKOMA PLAN IRON HORSE PLAN PORTOLA PLAN
Distributed by: Ryan Bonk, City
Manager or Mikki Battaglia
• City Facebook Page
• City Website (page and notification
banner)
• Direct email to any individual(s)
signed up for notifications
We will examine utilizing resources to
get the word out in person as well.
Posters
Distributed to Nakoma resident gates
and gym bulletin board by volunteers
5: Evac Executive Overview Page 41
Posters
Sample pf Resident Materials
6: Evac Executive Overview
Instructions for
Genasys Alert Sign-up
Evac Route from
Iron Horse & Nakoma
THANK YOU
FOR PARTICIPATING
IN OUR FUTURE
PREPAREDNESS!
CITY OF PORTOLA
BECKWOURTH PEAK FPD
PARTICIPATING AGENCIES
LOCAL ORGANIZERS