RFD NEWS RELEASE
With kids being out of school for summer break and wildland fire season, the Reno Fire Department would like to encourage parents to educate their children on the dangers of fire along with a reminder to supervise children to ensure they do not play with fire.
“Usually playing with fire is limited to smaller children under age eight who are simply curious, but in the last few years we have seen an alarming increase in older unsupervised kids setting vegetation or personal items on fire with boredom as an excuse,” advises Interim Fire Marshal Dave Cochran. “Sometimes these fires are confined to small areas, but many times these fires quickly spread and cause significant property damage and/or injuries.”
The Reno Fire Department will take appropriate action upon determining that a fire has been started by a juvenile, up to and including charging the child with arson, which is a felony. Parents can also be held responsible for suppression costs and/or civil suits as a result of their children’s actions.
The Reno Fire Department provides several training programs for schools, and partners with the Fire Prevention Association of Nevada to provide youth firesetting intervention to children who have been cited for a youth set fire incident or have curiosity issues with fire that are of concern to family members.
For information about fire prevention or the Regional Youth Firesetter Intervention Program contact the Reno Fire Department at 334-2300.
