Reno Fire Department Encourages Residents to Be Fire Safe in Light of Wildfire Awareness Month
Post Date:05/14/2025 1:03 p.m.The Reno Fire Department (RFD) is encouraging residents to be fire safe as May is Wildfire Awareness Month. The month focuses on fire prevention, specifically those along the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), as the weather heats up and dries out.
“We’re now seeing warmer temperatures, drier conditions, and that poses a great threat to our community when it comes to fire,” said Reno Fire Marshal John Beck. “It’s important for residents to have a plan in case of a fire emergency and create defensible space outside of their homes.”
Reno residents who live or have properties in the High-Risk category or in the sphere of influence of the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), will be receiving informational postcards this month on wildfire preparedness. The postcards direct residents to visit RFD’s Wildfires and Living in Wildland Urban Interface page to learn more about creating defensible space, home hardening, and emergency preparedness.
The U.S. experiences an average of 70,000 wildfires each year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. And according to the Nevada Bureau of Land Management, about 585,710 acres of land were burned across 3,074 wildfires between 2020 and 2024.
Through the Wildfires and Living in Wildland Urban Interface page, residents can prepare in the event of a wildfire by doing the following:
- Learning about the causes of wildfires
- Protecting their home
- Creating defensible space
- Becoming a Firewise USA Community
- Being informed about emergency preparedness
- Participating and giving input for the Community Wildfire Protection Plan
Residents can also find information on evacuation planning, Go-Bag essentials, and how to sign up for the Washoe County Emergency Alert System. In addition, residents can sign up for severe weather alerts through the National Weather Service. These alerts help residents prepare for major storms that are forecasted and impact our region.
If there is an active fire, RFD urges residents to call 911. In the event of an active fire, residents should check the perimeter map to get information about evacuation zones and road closures. Return to full list >>
