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Nevada insurance commissioner urges homeowners to reduce wildfire threat

CARSON CITY — Nevada endured a harsher than recent mild winters, which brought much-needed moisture to the region. While this moisture is responsible for picturesque sceneries, it can also lead to greener plants, and denser grass — in other words: fire fuel.

The National Weather Service recently issued a Red Flag Warning lasting 2 days, which means there is an increased threat for wildfires. The good news is that you as a homeowner can begin now, before a wildfire starts, to protect your home by decreasing the possibility of your home being engulfed in flames.

“Mitigation is key to reducing loss of property due to wildfires, but it is only effective if it is done before disaster strikes,” explained Insurance Commissioner Barbara Richardson.

According to the Living with Fire Program, creating a defensible space around your home can reduce the threat of wildfires affecting your home. In the event of a wildfire, defensible space can also help the firefighters defend your property safely and more effectively.

Begin by knowing how much distance from the base of the house extending outward your property needs as it depends on the vegetation surrounding the home and the steepness of the slope. Living with Fire has a “Defensible Space Calculator” on their website at http://www.livingwithfire.info/before-the-fire that can recommend how much defensible space your property needs.

Once you identify how much defensible space is recommended for your property, the next step is to consider removing dead and dying trees, dead native and ornamental shrubs, dead branches, leaves, needles and twigs that are still attached to plants, and removing grass, weeds and flowers within the recommended defensible space zone.

Creating a separation between native trees and shrubs such as Jeffery Pine, Pinyon, Juniper and Sagebrush also helps reduce the fire danger. Additionally, removing the lower tree branches to at least 10 feet can reduce the risk of a fire using the down low branches to spread to the taller plants. This is known as “ladder fuel.”

Even though reducing the fuel will reduce the risk of fire to your home, it is also important to protect your home with adequate insurance.

The Nevada Division of Insurance recommends that you conduct a checkup that includes completing a home inventory and reviewing the provisions of your homeowner’s policy with your insurance agent or insurance company. This inventory and review will ensure appropriate and adequate coverage is in place to repair or replace your home and belongings in the event that it is destroyed by a fire.

The Division has resources available on its website to help homeowners and renters. Please visit the Division’s website at http://doi.nv.gov/Consumers/Homeowners-Insurance/Home-Inventory/ for tips on how to create a home inventory. You can also view the Nevada Consumer’s Guide to Home Insurance at http://doi.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/doinvgov/_public-documents/News-Notes/Ho....

Don’t forget to also check out the NAIC’s free myHOME Scr.APP.book downloadable app that allows you to quickly photograph and capture descriptions of your possessions room by room, then store electronically for safekeeping. The app is available for iPhone and Android devices.

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With Nevada’s primary elections approaching, the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) reminds community members that political signage is not allowed on state highway property.

Federal regulations and Nevada state law prohibit political and advertising signage on public highway property, including but not limited to political signs, yard sale/event signs, and realtor or business signage.

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The application deadline for Mile High Band Association’s 2024 Jazz & Beyond Festival art contest is Friday, May 31. Northern Nevada artists, including teachers and students are invited to apply, and participation is free.

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The Sierra Nevada section of the Society of Women Engineers recognized several Carson City students and one teacher at the 2024 Night of STEM Star Awards in Reno, Friday, April 26.

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Sunday in Carson City brought out a black bear with a shiny brown coat that lumbered through a yard in early morning light, probably looking for breakfast.

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“Kids to Parks Day is a national day of outdoor play celebrated annually on the third Saturday of May. The day connects kids and families with their local, state, and national parks and public lands through thousands of park events that promote discovery and exploration in the great outdoors.” – National Park Trust

The wait is finally over. The second annual Mark Twain Days Festival returns to Carson City and Virginia City this weekend! Enjoy themed train rides, concerts, literature, book sales, kid's stories, and so much more all throughout the capital city and Virginia City.

Let's take a look at the full list of events for the weekend.

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Please click to expand the flyer for sign up options.

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Since 1988, Safe Grad has helped prevent fatalities related to graduation night intoxication by offering a FREE, safe, and sober all-night party for graduating high school seniors.

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UPDATE 1:16 p.m.: Service restored.

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