Last September’s Davis Fire in Reno and this winter’s devastation in southern California are painful reminders of just how real the wildfire threat is to Nevada communities. To help communities come up with actionable plans to better protect their communities, the ÐÔ°®ÎåÉ«Ìì, Reno is hosting the on campus March 17-18.
is a multiagency partnership aimed at supporting communities wanting to become more “fire adapted,” better equipped to survive wildfires. ’s is a partner, along with firefighting agencies, nonprofit organizations and private entities. The Summit will have a number of activities to help attendees walk away with actionable plans they can get started on with their neighbors. Information will also be provided on grants and resources that can be accessed to help implement the plans. Attendance is free and includes meals and materials, and the partners will continue to provide support as Summit participants implement their plans.
“We’re thrilled about this year’s Fire Adapted Nevada Summit and the strong support behind it,” said Christina Restaino, director of the Living With Fire Program. “Thanks to our partners – the BLM, U.S. Forest Service and Nevada Division of Forestry – and the generosity of sponsors such as the Truckee Meadows Water Authority, the Summit is completely free to attend. Wildfire resilience is possible, and we’re here to help communities take action. We just need people to show up and see what’s possible.”
Restaino says a variety of activities – panels, presentations and workshops – will focus on helping participants to deepen their understanding of fire, community engagement and strategies to reduce wildfire risk. The event will also help participants to connect with each other and engage with fire agencies, as well as develop plans they can implement in their communities.
Video clips will be shown highlighting actions that a couple of groups – the East Fork Fire Volunteers in Douglas County and Cold Creek in Clark County – have already taken to make their communities safer from wildfire. There will also be video of the Davis Fire to promote panel discussion and better understanding of wildfire.
Restaino, who is also an assistant professor and natural resources specialist at the University focusing on wildland fire science, forestry and natural resource management, will be one of the presenters at the Summit. She received her bachelor’s degree in natural resource management at UC Berkeley, and her master’s and doctoral degrees in environmental and forest sciences from University of Washington, completing her postdoctoral studies at UC Davis.
The keynote presenter is retired Fire Chief Frank Frievalt, who currently serves as director of the Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Institute at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Frievalt served in the firefighting field since 1979 in a variety of roles, from firefighter to fire chief, with various governmental fire agencies. He holds a master’s degree from Oklahoma State University in fire and emergency management administration.
for the Summit is required and is now open. It will be held in the University’s Joe Crowley Student Union, Room 419, and free parking will be available on the top two levels of the University’s West Stadium Parking Complex. Participants will receive further details after they register. Those living more than 50 miles from campus who want to apply for a travel stipend should email LWF@unr.edu. Persons in need of special accommodations or assistance should email Paul Lessick, civil rights and compliance coordinator or call him at 702-257-5577 at least 10 days prior to the Summit with their needs or for more information.
The Summit is made possible with funding from the Bureau of Land Management – Nevada, with additional support from the University, the Nevada Division of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service.
