Nevada Wildland Fire Awareness Week 2008 Summary Report

Submitted by:

Ed Smith, Natural Resource Specialist Sonya Sistare, Wildfire Project Coordinator

Event Summary Report

The third annual Wildland Fire Awareness Week (NWFAW) was held May 17 - 24, 2008. Assisted by grant funds from BLM, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension coordinated this multi-agency effort. Through those collaborative efforts, additional funding sources, public service contributions by corporate sponsors, and in- kind contributions (see page 8), we were able to reach a large and varied audience. Partners in this endeavor included:

Bureau of Land Management Nevada Division of Forestry Capitol Insurance Group Nevada Fire Chiefs Association Carson City Fire Department Nevada Fire Safe Council Carson Valley Garden & Ranch Center Nevada Insurance Council Nevada Magazine Clark County Fire Department Nevada State Firefighters’ Association Douglas County Nevada State Fire Marshal East Fork Fire Protection District North Lake Tahoe Fire Prot. District Elko County Red Lion Resort & Casino Eureka County Reno Fire Department Fire Prevention Association of Nevada Reno-Sparks Indian Colony Gold Dust West Hotel & Casino Rubbish Runners Waste Disposal Rye Patch Volunteer Fire Department Grass Valley Fire Department Sierra Fire Protection District John Ascuaga’s Nugget Sierra Front Wildfire Cooperators Lander County Sierra Pacific Power Company Lakeside Inn and Casino Sparks Fire Department Lincoln County Spring Mountains Natl. Recreation Area Lyon County Spring Mountains Volunteer Association Mineral County Sturgeon’s Casino & Hotel Moana Nursery University of NV Cooperative Extension Nevada Association of Counties USDA Forest Service Nevada Cattlemen’s Association Washoe County

Our focus this year was on preventing accidental fire starts from outdoor activities, including: tossing lit cigarettes, ATV and other recreational vehicle use, construction activities, target shooting, and illegal campfires. This was reflected by our theme - Wildfire…It Only Takes A Spark!

This report summarizes the events and activities that occurred as part of NWFAW.

2 NWFAW Planning Committee

Bureau of Land Management Steve Edgar Heather Emmons Ruta Glinski E. Butch Hayes Capital Insurance Group John Higbee Carson City Ann Bollinger Carson City Fire Department Lorelei Barr Clark County Fire Department Scott Allison Kurt Leavitt Steve McClintock Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources Bob Conrad Nevada Association of Counties Wes Henderson Nevada Division of Forestry Kelli Baratti Greg Beasley Mark Blankensop John Copeland Mike Dondero Nevada Fire Safe Council Jason Arnold Ann Grant Candace Lowery Pat Murphy Janice Roberts Terri Sumner Nevada State Firefighters Association Mike Heidemann Nevada State Fire Marshall Lori DeGristina Reno Fire Department Steve Frady Joan Presley Jennifer Trippett Reno-Sparks Indian Colony David Hunkup Sierra Front Wildfire Cooperators Ronna Hubbard Sparks Fire Department James Recob Bill Finley University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Marilyn Ming Kim Otero Jay Paxson Sonya Sistare Joanne Skelly Ed Smith Claudene Wharton USDA Forest Service Patty Eder Christie Kalkowski Mike Wilde Washoe County Kurt Latipow

3 Key Results

• 14 of Nevada’s 17 counties actively participated

• 78 events or activities were held as part of NWFAW, which included promotional efforts and Proclamations/Resolutions (See list of event/activities by county - Attachment 1)

• 1,581 people attended community events

• 6,736 others received educational materials via direct mail

• 46 partners collaborated on these efforts

Key Events

• A statewide kick-off event was held on Friday, May 16 at Washoe Lake State Park. Organized by Kelli Baratti, Nevada Division of Forestry, this event featured presentations, examples of sources of accidental fire starts, such as off road vehicle use, construction activities and target shooting, and an NDF helicopter water bucket drop demonstration. Presenting were representatives from BLM, Nevada Division of Forestry, Nevada Association of Counties, Nevada Fire Chief’s Association, Nevada Department of Wildlife, Nevada Cattlemen’s Association, Nevada State Firefighters’ Association, US Forest Service, and Governor Gibbons. (See photographs - Attachment 2)

• The Junk the Junipers event was held at two locations in the Reno area to encourage homeowners to remove their ornamental junipers growing within the first 30 feet of their home. This project was a collaboration between Moana Nursery, Reno Fire Department, Rubbish Runners Waste Disposal, and UNCE. Participants received a free plant from a selection of good plant choices for high fire-hazard areas in exchange for their discarded juniper. Approximately 30 yards of discarded junipers were collected, and 36 good plants were distributed in exchange. Moana Nursery donated the plants, in-kind contribution $650.00, and Rubbish Runners donated the use of the dumpsters, in-kind contribution $900.00. (See photographs - Attachment 3)

• The Spring Mountain National Recreation Area Spring Clean-up Day was held to remove litter and debris throughout the developed recreation areas in Kyle and Lee Canyons. Over 300 volunteers participated, including 87 homeowners living in the area. These efforts resulted in the disposal of 809 bags of pine needles and the chipping of 36 tons of slash. Homeowners were also given the option to sign up for a defensible space inspection, and 57 were scheduled. (See photographs - Attachment 4)

• The Nevada Fire Safe Council and its statewide chapters were responsible for 37 of the events/activities, including the mailing of “How-to Hold an Event” packets to each of their 86

4 chapter leaders. These are noted on the list of events and activities by county, included here as attachment 1.

• Public meetings were held in both Carson City and Reno to present the “Multi-jurisdictional Fuels Reduction and Wildfire Prevention Strategy” for the Carson Range.

Proclamations & Resolutions

• Governor Gibbons issued a Proclamation on April 10, which he read and presented to Pete Anderson, State Forester, at the kick-off event at Washoe Lake State Park. (See Proclamation - Attachment 5)

• The Nevada Association of Counties issued a resolution in support of NWFAW on February 22. This was read and presented to Ed Smith and Sonya Sistare, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension (UNCE), at the kick-off event. Additionally, NWFAW was promoted in three e-brief newsletters. (See photograph - Attachment 6)

• County Proclamations were also issued in support of NWFAW by the following counties: Douglas, Lander, Lincoln, Lyon, Mineral and Washoe.

Promotional Efforts

• Chief James Wright, Nevada State Fire Marshal, posted a letter on their website encouraging participation in NWFAW efforts. (See letter, Attachment 7)

• 500 11” by 17” posters were distributed statewide. The design was created by Lorelei Barr, Carson City Fire Department and copies were printed courtesy of Reno Fire Department. In- kind contribution $219.00 (See poster - Attachment 8)

• Postcard announcements were printed by UNCE - Southern Nevada Office and mailed to 250 firefighters statewide. BLM provided the postage. In-kind contribution $50.00 from UNCE, $85.00 from BLM. (See postcard sample - Attachment 9)

• Sierra Pacific Power Company included our awareness message in their May bill inserts for their Southern Nevada, Northern Nevada, and California/Tahoe area customers. (See sample of insert - Attachment 10)

• 2500 promotional lip balms were purchased, with 1630 distributed during this awareness week. They feature the slogan and website address. These were purchased by the Bureau of Land Management, Nevada State Office. In-kind contribution $ 2468.00. (See design sample - Attachment 11)

• 1000 “banner” pens were purchased, featuring evacuation guidelines and website address. 675 were distributed during this awareness week. These were purchased by the Sierra Front Wildfire Cooperators in cooperation with UNCE. In-kind contribution $1,690.00. (See design sample - Attachment 12)

5 • 226 stress-ball houses were distributed, featuring the website address. These were originally purchased by the Bureau of Land Management in 2006.

• 5 hotel/casino properties, located in Carson City, Elko, Reno, and Sparks participated as a community service by placing our message on their electronic marquis (See photograph - Attachment 13). Two additional hotel/casino properties placed messages on their static signs and/or bulletin boards.

• A 40-foot long banner was displayed over Main Street in Carson City during the week. This was a collaborative effort by BLM, Carson City Fire Department, and UNCE. The reusable banner was purchased by BLM. In-kind contribution $800.00. (See photograph - Attachment 14)

• 4 newspaper ads were placed in Northern Nevada newspapers, using grant funds from BLM in cooperation with UNCE. (See ads - Attachment 15) o Reno Gazette-Journal, circulation 66,503 to Washoe, Carson City and Douglas Counties o Nevada Appeal, circulation 18,000 to Carson City o Elko Daily Free Press, circulation 11,450 to Elko, Lander, and Eureka Counties

• A half-page ad was placed in the May edition of Sage Signals, sponsored by the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association. Their circulation is 600. In-kind contribution $90.00. (See ad - Attachment 16)

• The Nevada State Firefighters’ Association provided support by mailing a NWFAW announcement flyer to their 1680 members, plus featuring NWFAW on the cover of their spring edition of “The Pumper.” The magazine also included an article written by Ed Smith, UNCE, called “Increasing Wildfire Awareness”. (See article - Attachment 17)

• Nevada Magazine sponsored a half-page ad in their May-June edition, which has a statewide distribution/circulation of 114,000. In-kind contribution $2750.00. (See sample of ad - Attachment 18)

• An article was included in the May edition of Nevada Home Magazine, whose circulation is to 32,000 homeowners in the Reno/Sparks area. Written by Ed Smith, UNCE, it focused on the purpose of NWFAW, how to get involved, and showed details on recent fires that were the result of accidental fire starts from recreational activities. (See article - Attachment 19)

• An additional article was written by Ed Smith for the Home and Garden section of the Reno Gazette-Journal on May 22. It focused on the flammability of mulches and the dangers of using them too close to a house or other structure. (See article - Attachment 20)

• A television public service announcement was created with grant funding from BLM, in cooperation with UNCE. Featuring the music and voice talents of Doug Clifford, drummer for Credence Clearwater Revival, this PSA urged homeowners to reduce the wildfire threat to their homes and communities during NWFAW and promoted the Living With Fire website. It

6 was distributed to network and cable-access channel statewide and aired numbers times during the week. (See CD - Attachment 21)

• Ed Smith, UNCE, was interviewed about NWFAW for broadcast on eight Reno/Sparks area radio stations. These aired primarily Sunday morning, May 18 at the start of NWFAW. He obtained a total of 240 minutes of airtime.

• Sonya Sistare, UNCE, was taped for the May airing of “Extension Connection”, a public service production that airs in the Clark County area. The focus was on NWFAW and the extreme wildfire danger that exists in the communities located in the Spring Mountain Range.

7 In-Kind Contributions

In-Kind Contributions Non-Federal Reno Fire Department - printing of 500 posters 219.00 Sierra Front Wildfire Cooperators - 1000 banner pens 1690.00 Moana Nursery - donation of 36 #15 shrubs for exchange of junipers at 650.00 “Junk The Junipers” event during NWFAW Rubbish Runners - donation of 2 30-yard containers for collection of 900.00 discarded junipers during “Junk The Junipers” event Nevada Cattlemen’s Association - 1/2 page ad in Sage Signals 90.00 Nevada Magazine - 1/2 page ad 2750.00 University of Nevada Cooperative Extension - Southern Nevada Office 50.00 Printing of 250 postcards for NWFAW

TOTAL IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS $6349.00

In-Kind Contributions Federal BLM - Lip Balm for distribution at statewide events 2468.00 BLM - mailing of 250 postcards for NWFAW 85.00 BLM - purchase of banner across Main Street, Carson City 800.00

TOTAL FEDERAL CONTRIBUTIONS $3353.00

TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS $9702.00

8 Events/Activities by County Attachment 1

Direct County Date(s) Event or Activity Partner(s) Participants Mail

Carson City Posters displayed at various May locations Multi-agency Direct mail of LWF Guide to May select areas BLM, UNCE 3000 May 16 Ad in the Nevada Appeal BLM, UNCE May 19 - 25 Main Street Banner BLM, Carson Fire, UNCE May 17 - 24 Casino Fandango Marquee Carson Fire, UNCE May 17 - 24 Gold Dust West Marquee Carson Fire, UNCE Lakeview Community Carson Fire, Nevada Fire May 18 Clean-up Safe Council 20 May 21 Public Workshop Multi-agency 25 Churchill No activity Clark Posters displayed at various May locations Multi-agency Extension Connection May feature story UNCE Mt. Charleston Spring May 10 Clean-up Day NFSC 330 Mt. Charleston D.S. May 17 - 24 Inspections NFSC, USFS 57 Mt. Charleston Direct Mail May 17 - 24 Campaign NDF, NFSC, UNCE 700 Cold Creek Direct Mail May 17 - 24 Campaign NDF, NFSC, UNCE 70 Mt. Charleston Fire Safe May 19 Meeting NFSC, UNCE 33 May 19 Cold Creek Clean-up Day NFSC, UNCE 22 Douglas Posters displayed at various May locations Multi-agency Pine Nut Creek Safe May Recreating Display BLM, NFSC, UNCE May 1 County Proclamation Douglas Cty, NFSC 50 East Fork Fire, NFSC, May 17 Genoa Pancake Breakfast UNCE 60 Skyland Community DS May 17 Walking Tour NFSC 27 May 17 - 24 Good Plant Choices Display Gdn & Ranch Ctr, NFSC 10 May 20 Wildfire Education Night NFSC, UNCE 47 Elko Posters displayed at various May locations Multi-agency May 14 Ad in Elko Daily Free Press BLM, UNCE

9 May 16 - 18 Elko Fire Fair 2008 BLM, UNCE 50 Red Lion Resort & Casino May 17 - 24 Marquee UNCE Esmeralda No activity Eureka Posters displayed at various May locations Multi-agency Humboldt Posters displayed at various May locations Multi-agency Banner displayed in Grass BLM, Grass Valley Fire May Valley area Department Lander April 24 County Proclamation Lander County 15 Posters displayed at various May locations Multi-agency Lincoln Posters displayed at various May locations Multi-agency May 5 County Proclamation Lincoln County 16 Lyon Posters displayed at various May locations Multi-agency May 15 County Proclamation Lyon County 14 Mineral Posters displayed at various May locations Multi-agency May 7 County Proclamation Mineral County 15 Nye No activity Pershing Posters displayed at various May locations Multi-agency Banner displayed on Fire May - Aug Station Rye Patch VFD, UNCE Rye Patch VFD Open May 17 House NFSC, Rye Patch VFD 25 Storey Posters displayed at various May locations Multi-agency Washoe Presentation to Tribal April Council Reno-Sparks Indian Colony 12 Posters displayed at various May locations Multi-agency Nevada Home Magazine May Article UNCE Washoe County May 13 Proclamation Washoe County 65 May 16 2 ads in the RGJ BLM, UNCE

10 May 16 NWFAW Kick-off Event Multi-agency 100 Grand Sierra Resort May 17 - 24 Marquee UNCE May 17 - 24 Ascuaga's Nugget Marquee UNCE, Sparks Fire Saddlehorn Chapter Direct May 17 - 24 Mail Packet NFSC, UNCE 450 Moana Nursery May 17 Presentation Moana Nursery, UNCE 8 May 17 Somersett Chapter Training NFSC 17 Reno Fire, Rubbish Runners, Moana Nursery, May 18 Junk The Junipers - Reno UNCE 36 Horsemen's Community May 19 Meeting NFSC, Reno Fire, UNCE 40 Virginia Foothills Chipping & May 20 - 21 BBQ NFSC, Sierra Fire, UNCE 40 Community Fuels Reduction May 20 Presentation NFSC 9 May 22 NWFAW article in the RGJ UNCE Washoe County Public May 22 Workshop Multi-agency 50 Silver Lake Volunteer FF May 22 Training NFSC, Reno Fire 40 White Pine Posters displayed at various May locations Multi-agency Lake Tahoe-CA Posters displayed at various May locations Multi-agency Montgomery Estates Flyer May 14 - 21 Distribution NFSC 500 Lakeside Inn - Message May 17 - 24 Board Display NFSC Montgomery Estates Comm. May 21 Meeting NFSC 40 North Tahoe Middle School May 21 Event NFSC, North Tahoe Fire 245 Tahoma Community Clean- May 24 up & BBQ NFSC, UNCE 45 Statewide Efforts Feb 22 NACO Resolution NACO 30 NFSC direct mail - How-to April Packet UNCE 86 NSFA direct mail flyer to April membership NSFA, UNCE 1680 April NACO e-brief newsletter NACO May NACO e-brief newsletter NACO Chief Wright Letter- posted May on website NV State Fire Marshal

11 NV Cattlemen's Assoc. - May Sage Signals Magazine NV Cattlemen's, UNCE May NSFA's Pumper Magazine NSFA, UNCE Postcard mailing to May Firefighters BLM, UNCE 250 Sierra Pacific Bill Inserts - May feature SPPC, UNCE May/June Nevada Magazine Ad NFSC, UNCE June NACO e-brief newsletter NACO

TOTAL 1,593 6,736 Direct Participants Mail

12 Kick-off Event Attachment 2

Governor Gibbons’ presentation at the kick-off event

Federal, state and local firefighting agencies were well represented

13 Junk The Junipers Event Attachment 3

Sonya Sistare, UNCE, provides wildfire threat reduction tips to concerned homeowners at Moana Nursery

A UNCE Master Gardener volunteer helps dispose of a discarded juniper

Reno Fire Department engines and crews were on hand to assist homeowners with questions and concerns

14 Mt. Charleston Spring Clean-Up Day Attachment 4

Homeowner’s work together to rake up pine needles from their property

Full dumpsters at the Old Town location on Mt. Charleston

Free Living With Fire educational materials were available at this booth, staffed by volunteers with local chapters of the Nevada Fire Safe Council 15 Governor’s Proclamation Attachment 5

16 Presentation of the NACO Resolution Attachment 6

Wes Henderson, Nevada Association of Counties presents the resolution in support of Nevada Wildland Fire Awareness Week to Ed Smith and Sonya Sistare, with University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, during the week’s kick-off event

17 Nevada State Fire Marshall’s Letter Attachment 7

18 Poster Design Attachment 8

19 Postcard Mailing Attachment 9

20 Sierra Pacific Power Company Bill Inserts Attachment 10

CA/Tahoe Insert

Nevada Insert

21 Promotional Lip Balm Attachment 11

22 Banner Pens Attachment 12

23 Grand Sierra Resort - Marquee Message Attachment 13

24 Carson City Street Banner Attachment 14

25 Newspaper Ads Attachment 15

Reno Gazette-Journal Ad May 16 - 8 column inches

Reno Gazette-Journal Ad May 16 - 6 column inches

Elko Daily Free Press May 14 16 column inches

Nevada Appeal, May 16, 12 column inches

26 Sage Signals Ad Attachment 16

27 Article in The Pumper Magazine Attachment 17

28

29 Nevada Magazine Ad Attachment 18

30 Nevada Home Magazine Article Attachment 19

31 Reno Gazette-Journal Article Attachment 20

32 Public Service Announcement Attachment 21

33