RENO, Nev. — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) - Nevada is pleased to announce a $1.79 million investment to reduce the risk and impact of wildfire to Nevada communities through the Wildland Fire Community Assistance Program.

The program provides financial assistance to local fire departments, counties, and non-profit organizations through cooperative agreements and is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Funds were awarded to four Nevada community partners to launch fuels management projects and treat fuels on non-federal lands (see projects below).

“Every year we see the devastating impact of wildfires across the nation,” said Kelsey Griffee, Acting State Fire Management Officer. “Preparing and preventing is what matters most, especially in Nevada where public lands surround so many communities.”

BLM Nevada implements multiple strategies each year to reduce wildfire risk, improve wildfire resiliency, and promote fire-adapted communities. In 2024 BLM Nevada completed a record year of fuels treatments totaling over 295,000 acres, including over 52,000 acres within the wildland urban interface (WUI). Wildland fire cameras that use artificial intelligence (AI) to detect smoke were implemented across the state and significantly improved wildfire response and public situational awareness. (See BLM Nevada's wildfire camera network, created in partnership with University of Nevada, Reno.) 

The newly funded Community Assistance projects will support and expand upon these and other strategies to be implemented in 2025. 

“Partnering with other agencies and addressing wildfire threats across jurisdictional boundaries is critical to protecting Nevada communities and public lands,” said Griffee. “This funding allows us to provide meaningful support to fire management agencies across the state and the communities they serve.”

In 2025, a cooperative agreement with the Nevada Fire Chiefs Association fund multiple fuels reduction projects across Nevada. "Fuels mitigation programs help reduce wildfire risks, protect communities, and make it safer for firefighters to do their jobs," said Matthew J. Petersen, Elko County Fire Chief, Nevada Fire Chiefs Association. "These programs also benefit homeowners by creating defensible spaces, lowering their risk, and helping to keep insurance costs manageable. Continued funding is essential to keep Nevada safe and prepared while saving costs in the future.”

Funds are distributed through the following Community Assistance Agreements:

Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District

The 5-year Community Wildfire Risk Reduction Project will reduce wildfire risk to private property and public lands in Washoe County and Carson City through a four-phased approach. 1) Community education events and workshops. 2) Free consultation and treatment plans to create defensible space for private landowners. 3) Fuels treatments to participating private properties. 4) Long-term fire mitigation planning for landowners and fire resilient planning for communities. 

Nevada Fire Chiefs Association

The 2025 – 2026 project will fund several sub-projects to assist communities statewide that need economic support to complete hazardous fuels reduction projects, create defensible space for critical infrastructure, and increase public awareness. Projects will reduce and mitigate the risks of future wildfires, including fire spread from private to public lands, and enhance safety for residents and fire personnel statewide. Applications will open in January and projects will launch May 2025. 

Elko County Fire Protection District 

In 2023, BLM Nevada funded year-1 of this mitigation project through a Community Assistance Agreement. Outcomes included 500 acres of fuels treatment in high-risk areas, strong public participation in community-based fuels reduction activities and educational workshops, and enhanced partnerships with local fire department and other agencies. 

For year-2 (2024-25), funds will expand fuels treatments to an additional 600 acres of high-risk areas and maintain previously treated areas. New educational materials and quarterly public workshops will enhance public awareness of fire prevention and safety. Joint initiatives and staff and volunteer training will further strengthen community partnerships. 

Living with Fire

At the second Fire Adapted Nevada Summit, participants will learn how to effectively prepare their communities for wildfire, what resources are available, and have opportunities to network and engage with fire management agencies and other communities.