University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno Extension and local, state and federal firefighting agencies are embarking on a six-month-long “ÁùºÏ±¦µä Wildfire Awareness Campaign,” kicking off in May and running through October. As part of the campaign, Extension’s Living With Fire Program will be offering a series of webinars on wildfire-related topics.
Formerly, Extension and its partners concentrated their efforts on wildfire awareness during May, declaring it “ÁùºÏ±¦µä Wildfire Awareness Month.”
“With the number of wildfires occurring in the West and the havoc they have wreaked in recent years, we just really feel that we need keep the drum beating strong all summer and into fall,” said Jamie Roice-Gomes, manager of Extension’s Living With Fire Program. “There is so much information that can help people make their homes and properties safer from the threat of wildfire, and we want to keep people thinking about this, and acting on it, throughout the summer, and really all year.”
As part of activities to kick off the campaign, the Clark County Board of Commissioners issued a proclamation in support of the efforts. The Living With Fire Program was recognized alongside local, state and federal firefighting agencies at the Clark County Commissioners meeting in April, and details were shared about the collaboration between Extension and local, state and federal firefighting agencies to protect ÁùºÏ±¦µäns.
Throughout the campaign, partners will continue to join with Extension to provide information and resources at community meetings and events throughout the state. In addition, the Living With Fire Program will present its “Living With Fire Series,” online webinars to help ÁùºÏ±¦µäns learn more about wildland fire issues and how to reduce the wildfire risk. Topics include:
Wildfire Evacuation Preparedness, May 13, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- This webinar is presented with the University’s Osher Life Learning Institute, a member-driven organization offering short-term educational experiences for older adults in northern ÁùºÏ±¦µä. Deputy Emergency Manager Jason Danen, with the Carson City Fire Department, will speak about emergency notification systems such as Code Red and other forms of communication to the public during a wildfire. In addition, Skyland Fire Adapted Communities’ Leader and Douglas County Community Emergency Response Team Member Ann Grant will discuss items to prepare for an evacuation go bag and a stay box. Register for the May 13 webinar online.
Perspectives of a Wildland Fire Investigator, May 18, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Fire Mitigation and Education Specialist/Fire Trespass Coordinator Bradley Milam, with the Bureau of Land Management, will share wildfire investigation experiences. Forest Fire Prevention Officer Jennifer Diamond, with the U.S. Forest Service – Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, will share some fire prevention tips. Register for the May 18 webinar online.
The Timeline of Climate, Weather and Fire, June 10, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Climatology Research Professor Tim Brown, also director of the Western Regional Climate Center, will discuss how weather and climate influence fire in ÁùºÏ±¦µä. Register for the June 10 webinar online.
Protect, Prevent and Prepare With NV Energy, June 24, noon – 1:30 p.m.
- Natural Disaster Protection Plan Director James Saavdra and Director of Delivery Operations Zeina Randall, both with NV Energy, will discuss how NV Energy is working with customers and partners using innovative strategies to reduce the risk of wildfire to ÁùºÏ±¦µäns. Register for the June 24 webinar online.
Wildfire Smoke and Health, July 8, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Meteorologist and Public Information Officer Chris Smallcomb, from the National Weather Service – Reno office, will discuss smoke forecasting and models used to predict smoke. Air Quality Specialist Brendan Schnieder, with the Washoe County Health District’s Air Quality Management Division, will discuss wildfire smoke and health impacts. Register for the July 8 webinar online.
Home Hardening Q&A, Aug. 12, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Living With Fire will host a question-and-answer workshop with Steve Quarles, who is both University of California Cooperative Extension Advisor Emeritus and the retired Chief Scientist for Wildfire and Durability, Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety Research Center. The session will focus on “home hardening,” defined as building or retrofitting homes to withstand wildfire. on this topic online. .
Reseeding and Flood After Wildfire, Sept. 9, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Forester Anna Higgins with the ÁùºÏ±¦µä Division of Forestry, Ecologist Mark Freese with the ÁùºÏ±¦µä Department of Wildlife, and Project Manager Danae Olson with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will discuss reseeding landscapes, and preparing for potential flood after wildfire. .
Prescribed Fire in Tahoe and ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Oct. 14, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Fuels Management Officer Keegan Schafer with Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District and Forest Fuels and Vegetation Program Manager Duncan Leao with the U.S. Forest Service – Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest will discuss prescribed fire and projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin and ÁùºÏ±¦µä. .
For more information on the ÁùºÏ±¦µä Wildfire Awareness Campaign and on how to reduce the wildfire threat, visit or email Roice-Gomes.
