Nevada community groups awarded funding for fire mitigation
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Media Contact:
Media contact
NFCA Executive Director – Kelli Baratti: kelli@nvfirechf.org, (775) 720-9874
RENO, Nev. — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Nevada and Nevada Fire Chiefs Association (NFCA) are proud to announce nearly $342,000 in grant funding awarded to six community-based wildfire mitigation projects across the state. These funds, part of the Wildfire Risk Reduction Program (WRRP), will support efforts to reduce hazardous fuels and strengthen wildfire preparedness in communities and vulnerable areas.
“Reducing wildfire risk beyond BLM-managed lands is essential to our mission of protecting lives, property, and natural resources,” said Kelsey Griffee, BLM Nevada Assistant State Fire Management Officer. “Wildfires don’t recognize property lines, which is why this collaborative work to address risks across private and public lands together is so important.”
WRRP is a NFCA initiative, and one of four programs funded through BLM Nevada’s 2025 Wildland Fire Community Assistance Program. The program provides grant funding and support for sub-projects that focus on:
- Hazardous fuels reduction
- Creating defensible space around property and infrastructure
- Community preparedness
The six funded WRRP projects span multiple regions and demonstrate Nevada’s continued commitment to collaborative wildfire mitigation and preparedness. The projects will reduce the risk and impact of wildfires, prepare communities to address fire hazards, and improve safety for residents and first responders.
“Partnerships are the foundation of the Nevada Fire Chiefs Association’s wildfire prevention strategy,” said Dave Cochran, NFCA President and City of Reno Fire Chief. “By uniting communities with local and federal agencies, we can deliver community-driven projects that protect residents, firefighters, property, and reduce the risk of fire spreading between private and public lands.”
A Record Year of Wildfire Prevention
BLM Nevada implements multiple strategies each year to reduce wildfire risk and improve wildfire resilience. Since the beginning of 2025, BLM Nevada has completed fuel treatments on 90,000 acres. In 2024, treatments covered over 295,000 acres, including more than 52,000 acres within the wildland-urban interface (WUI)*. BLM Nevada has also expanded its network of wildfire cameras and piloted AI-powered wildfire detection cameras that enhance early response and public awareness. (BLM Nevada’s wildfire camera network is offered in partnership with University of Nevada, Reno.)
*WUI: areas where homes, structures, and other human developments border or intermingle with undeveloped land and vegetative fuels.
The following projects are funded through the Wildfire Risk Reduction Program:
Central Lyon Fire Protection District – Rolling A Open Space Project
This project will reduce wildfire risks in the Carson River-Dayton Valley corridor by treating over 100 acres in the “Rolling A Open Space” park in Lyon County. It involves removing invasive species and hazardous vegetation through mechanical methods and prescribed burns, focusing on grass, shrubs, and deadwood in a riparian ecosystem. The project will enhance wildlife habitat, lower fire spread potential, and promote long-term sustainability through community partnerships in land management.
Cold Creek Canyon Homeowners Association – Hazardous Fuel Reduction Project
This project will carry out manual vegetation thinning and brush clearing on 50 properties to enhance wildfire resilience in the off-grid Cold Creek community. The goal is to improve emergency access and reduce fuel loads in areas prone to wildfires in Clark County. The project also seeks to improve factors related to fire suppression efficiency and lower the risk of catastrophic wildfires.
Humboldt County – Fuel Reduction for Senior Residents Project
This project will provide hazardous fuels reduction services for senior residents of Humboldt County who receive assistance from the Pleasant Senior Center Homebound Services. The initiative will help reduce wildfire risks for vulnerable residents by removing weeds and creating defensible space around their residential properties.
Lincoln County Fire Protection District – Caselton & Pioche Fire Mitigation Project
This project will complete fuel breaks around the Caselton neighborhood and town of Pioche in Lincoln County, using mastication and chipping methods across 18 acres. The project will reduce wildfire risk for over 900 residents and numerous homes in both communities.
Pershing County – Road Right-of-Way (ROW)* Clearing Project
This project will remove tumbleweeds and debris along 200+ miles of county roads (ROWs) to expand firebreaks and reduce wildfire hazards on local, state, federal properties and public lands.
*ROW: public land set aside for transportation and utilities. I.e. public roads, spaces for power lines, etc.
City of Sparks Fire Department – Green Waste Disposal and Fuels Management Program
This disposal initiative will place large dumpsters in high-risk WUI* neighborhoods in Sparks to provide an accessible and safe way for residents to dispose green waste (such as dry grass, shrubs, branches, and other vegetation). Green waste contributes to the build-up of hazardous fuels and can escalate a wildfire’s intensity. This project will enhance defensible space efforts citywide and help residents meet fire-safe landscaping standards.
NevadaFireInfo.org is your go-to source for wildfire updates — prevention, safety – restrictions, real-time maps, cameras – and fire career opportunities in Nevada.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.