NDF STATE OFFICE-CARSON CITY, NV — A dry winter has left a majority of the state with well below average mountain snow packs and little runoff. Many rivers and streams have already experienced peak flows and are dwindling rapidly. Nevada’s forests, woodlands and rangelands are all being impacted by the ongoing drought with fuel moistures extremely low. A majority of our state is now or will be in fire restrictions shortly.
Throughout the west and southwest, the number of large wildfires is growing both in size and complexity, with New Mexico and Colorado currently experiencing catastrophic losses of homes, infrastructure and natural resources. Typically, July and August are Nevada’s busiest wildfire months, yet from the fall of 2011 to the present the Nevada Division of Forestry and other fire agencies have responded to wildfire incidents every single month, including several large wildfires in Douglas, Elko and Washoe counties.
I implore all Nevadans to take personal responsibility for preventing wildfires. While nature plays a role in some fire starts, it is up to each individual to ensure that no matter what the activity, from target shooting to exploring Nevada’s wildlands, we are all thinking about and doing everything possible to prevent wildfire ignitions. Please contact your local Fire District or the Nevada Division of Forestry at 775-684-2500 should you have questions or for additional information.
