Nevada Wildfire Awareness Month features activities in Carson City, Washoe Valley and Reno

University of Nevada Cooperative Extension is once again coordinating the collaborative efforts of federal, state and local fire services, public safety agencies, community organizations and others to participate in Nevada Wildfire Awareness Month throughout May.

This year’s message is “Wildfire! Prepare. Anticipate. Evacuate.” to encourage residents of Nevada’s wildfire-prone communities to prepare their homes and families for wildfire, anticipate environmental conditions and take precautions on Red Flag Warning days, and evacuate quickly when asked by emergency responders.

“We want residents to think about the broader picture in preparing for wildfire,” said Ed Smith, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension natural resource specialist and co-manager of the Living With Fire educational program. “Besides creating defensible space, they also need to consider a family emergency evacuation plan and what they would take with them for all family members and pets. Waiting until a wildfire is nearby to start planning is a bad idea.”

Events are scheduled across the state to encourage residents to take action. Cooperative Extension’s Living With Fire Program representatives will be participating in many of this year’s events, including:

May 6: Ember House activity at the Eureka Department of Natural Resources’ Firewise event, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., at the Eureka Fire House, 10306 Main St. in Eureka.

May 6: Junk The Junipers, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., at the Nevada Division of Forestry, 885 Eastlake Blvd. in Washoe Valley.

May 8: Wildfire Awareness Day at the Nevada State Legislature, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., 401 S. Carson St. in Carson City.

May 13: Third Annual Wildland Fire Awareness Multi-Hour Run, race start times vary from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., at Bartley Ranch Regional Park, 6000 Bartley Ranch Road in Reno.

In addition, the event includes a free treasure hunt and other family-friendly non-race activities. To register for a race time or for more information, visit http://desertskyadventures.com/wildlandreno/.

May 18: Wildfire Awareness Presentation focusing on evacuation, post-fire rehabilitation and insurance concerns, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., at the Toiyabe Golf Clubhouse, 19 Lightning W. Ranch Road in Washoe Valley. RSVP required by May 12. For more information or to register, contact Jamie Roice-Gomes at roicej@unce.unr.edu.

May 20: Junk The Junipers, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., at the lot adjacent to the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District’s Silver Lake Volunteer Fire Station, 11525 Red Rock Road in Silver Lake.

May 24: Wildfire Awareness Presentation focusing on evacuation and insurance concerns, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., at the Washoe County Cooperative Extension Office, 4955 Energy Way in Reno. RSVP required by May 12. For more information or to register, contact Jamie Roice-Gomes at roicej@unce.unr.edu.

Nevadans are invited to find activities in their area at http://www.livingwithfire.info/wildfire-awareness-month and to learn about the steps they can take to prepare their homes for wildfire.

Nevada Wildfire Awareness Month is a collaborative effort by local, state and federal firefighting agencies, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension and many others. Major funding partners include the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service and Nevada Division of Forestry.

For more information on Nevada Wildfire Awareness Month events and for information on how to reduce your wildfire threat, visit www.LivingWithFire.info or contact Sonya Sistare at University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, sistares@unce.unr.edu or 775-336-0271.