Nevada Wildfire Awareness Week 2009 Summary Report

Transcription

1 Nevada Wildfire Awareness Week 2009 Summary Report Submitted by: Ed Smith, Natural Resource Specialist Sonya Sistare, Wildfire Project Coordinator

2 Event Summary Report The fourth annual Nevada Wildfire Awareness Week (NWAW) was held May 3-9, Assisted by grant funds from BLM, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension coordinated this multi-agency effort. Through those collaborative efforts, additional funding sources, public service contributions by corporate sponsors, and in-kind contributions (see page 9), we were able to reach a large and varied audience. The 66 collaborators in this endeavor included: Americom Broadcasting Ameristar/Cactus Pete s Resort Casino Associated General Contractors - Nevada Chapter Audubon Society Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows Boy Scouts of America - Spring Mountain Bureau of Land Management Carson City Fire Department Casino Fandango Clark County Clark County Fire Department Douglas County East Fork Fire & Paramedic District Elko County Eureka County Evergreen Recycling Galena High School Get Outdoors Nevada Girl Scouts of the Sierra Nevada Tahoe Shores Governor Gibbons Grand Sierra Resort Great Basin Outdoor School Humboldt County KRNV - News 4 KUNR FM Lake Valley Fire District Las Vegas Metropolitan Volunteer Police Association Las Vegas Valley Water District Lyon County Moana Nursery Nevada Association of Counties Nevada Cattlemen s Association Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Nevada Department of Public Safety - State Fire Marshal Division Nevada Department of Transportation Nevada Division of Forestry Nevada Fire Chiefs Association Nevada Fire Safe Council Nevada Insurance Council Nevada Magazine Nevada State Firefighters Association Nevada Tahoe Conservation District North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District Nye County NV Energy Pershing County Pioneer Crossing Casino Red Lion Hotel & Casino, Elko Reno Fire Department Reno Gazette-Journal Republic Services Rubbish Runners Senator Harry Reid Sierra Fire Protection District Sierra Front Wildfire Cooperators Sparks Fire Department Spring Mountain Volunteer Association Southern Nevada Woody Biomass Working Group Tahoe-Douglas Fire Protection District Tahoe Resource Conservation District USDA Forest Service University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Washoe County Westcare White Pine County Whole Foods Market - Las Vegas 2

3 This year, the planning committee chose Be Ember Aware! as the theme and focus of promotional efforts. This served as a great launch to a planned educational campaign to continue teaching Nevada residents how to protect their homes from the threat of burning embers during a wildfire. Efforts included 121 events and activities with over 3,500 direct participants and approximately 1,232,000 indirect participants. This report summarizes those events and activities that occurred as part of NWAW. NWAW Planning Committee Bureau of Land Management Steve Edgar Ruta Glinski Carson City Fire Department Larry McPhail Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources Bob Conrad Nevada Division of Forestry Kelli Baratti Joe Fording Mike Dondero Nevada Fire Safe Council Jason Arnold Ann Grant Candace Lowery Pat Murphy Terri Sumner Nevada State Firefighters Association Mike Heidemann Reno Fire Department Steve Frady Joan Presley Sierra Fire Protection District Dulcie Lilly Mark Reagan Sparks Fire Department Bill Finley University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Marilyn Ming Kim Otero Sonya Sistare Ed Smith USDA Forest Service Mike Crawley Patty Eder Washoe County Kurt Latipow 3

4 Key Results All of Nevada s 17 counties actively participated 10 counties issued proclamations or resolutions in support of NWAW 121 events or activities were held as part of NWAW, which included promotional efforts and Proclamations/Resolutions. (See list of event/activities by county - Attachment 1) 3,528 people attended community events and 4,517 others received information via direct mail 6,127 pieces of educational/promotional materials were distributed 66 partners collaborated on these efforts A multi-state Proclamation was issued for California, Nevada & Oregon Key Events A statewide kick-off event was held on Friday, May 1 at the Nevada Division of Forestry Western Region Office. Organized by Kelli Baratti, Nevada Division of Forestry, this event featured presentations by Pete Anderson, Nevada State Forester, Ed Smith, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension (UNCE), and Matthew Tuma, Senator Reid s office. Following the presentation, a demonstration was planned to show how quickly burning embers could ignite a home if proper steps were not taken. The demonstration house was construction entirely thru the donation of materials by various sponsors, and labor by the student at Galena High School s Construction Technology Program in cooperation with Sierra Fire Protection District, in-kind contributions totaled approximately $1, Unfortunately, weather conditions did not allow the burn to take place. Additionally, Sierra Front Wildfire Cooperators participated by providing refreshments during the event, in-kind contributions $ (See photographs - Attachment 2) The Third Annual Junk the Junipers event was held at two locations in the Reno area to encourage homeowners to remove their ornamental junipers growing within the first 30 feet of their home. This project was a collaboration between Moana Nursery, Reno Fire Department, Rubbish Runners Waste Disposal, UNCE, and the USDA Forest Service. Participants received a free plant from a selection of good plant choices for high fire-hazard areas in exchange for their discarded juniper. Approximately 90 yards of discarded junipers were collected, and 53 good plants were distributed in exchange. The USDA Forest Service provided a prevention trailer and distributed educational materials. Moana 4

5 Nursery provided 53 shrubs, in-kind contribution $ , and Rubbish Runners donated the use of three dumpsters, in-kind contribution $ In addition to organizing the event, UNCE provided volunteers from the Master Gardener Program. (See photographs - Attachment 3) The Spring Mountain National Recreation Area Spring Clean-up Day was held once again to remove litter and debris throughout the developed recreation areas in Kyle and Lee Canyons. Overall event attendance was 500 people, with 88 homes participating in the pine needle pick-up program. Over 14 tons of potential wildfire fuels (pine needles, etc.) were removed from the area. This event was a collaboration of 14 agencies and additional sponsors, in-kind contributions totaling $2, (See photographs - Attachment 4) Participating for the first time, Federal Fire Fallon hosted a Wildfire Awareness day at the Naval Air Station to educate their on-base residents on how to live more safely in their high-wildfire hazard environment. Over 75 adults and children participated in the event. The Douglas County/Sierra Front chapters of the Nevada Fire Safe Council held a joint event in their community, featuring a presentation on ember awareness by East Fork Fire and Paramedic District. Over 100 residents attended. Another Douglas County chapter provided a wildfire information booth during a local community rummage sale, and they were able to sign up 10 new homeowners to their chapter. (See photograph - Attachment 5) Lake Tahoe Basin Fire Safe Council chapters sponsored several events in their respective communities, both in California and Nevada. These included Community Education Nights in both Stateline and Incline Village, and a community BBQ in Montgomery Estates. Additionally, two events were held to educate children on this issue: A tree planting service day by the Girl Scouts of the Sierra Nevada to help in the Angora Fire recovery efforts, and an Ember Aware discovery event at the Great Basin Outdoor School. The Nevada Fire Safe Council and its statewide chapters were responsible for 25 of the events/activities. These are noted on the list of events and activities by county, included here as Attachment 1. Proclamations & Resolutions For the first time, the states of California, Nevada and Oregon worked together to secure a joint proclamation by their respective state s governors. While respecting each state s unique wildfire issues, the joint proclamation stressed the concerns all Western states face of unprecedented growth in the wildland-urban interface, increased threat to homes and communities, and the increased wildfire risk in these areas. (See Proclamation - Attachment 6) 5

6 Governor Gibbons issued a Proclamation on February 23, which was presented by Pete Anderson, State Forester, at the kick-off event on May 1. (See Proclamation - Attachment 7) The Nevada Association of Counties (NACO) issued a resolution in support of NWAW on April 17. Additionally, they contacted county representatives to encourage their support of the week by issuing a County proclamation or resolution. (See NACO Resolution - Attachment 8) County Proclamations were issued by 10 of Nevada s 17 counties: Clark, Douglas, Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lyon, Nye, Pershing, Washoe, and White Pine. The City of Reno also issued a proclamation. Promotional Efforts Statewide There were by 17 posters distributed statewide, featuring the Be Ember Aware! message. The poster was designed and printed courtesy of the City of Reno s reprographics department. In-kind contribution $ (See poster - Attachment 9) Chief James Wright, Nevada State Fire Marshal, supported the week by posting a letter on the Division of Emergency Management website encouraging participation in NWAW efforts. (See letter - Attachment 10) NV Energy (or Sierra Pacific Power Company in some areas) included our awareness message in their April & May bill inserts for their entire customer base of over 950,000. The inserts are also available on their website for those customers who choose paperless bills. Additionally, an awareness message was included in their internal communication to their over 3,000 employees. (See sample of inserts - Attachment 11 & 12) The Nevada State Firefighters Association provided support by mailing a NWAW announcement flyer to their 1680 members, featuring the poster graphics on the cover of their spring edition of The Pumper, and including a Be Ember Aware article written by Ed Smith, UNCE, in that issue. In-kind contribution $ (See cover and article - Attachment 13) A half-page ad was placed in the April & May edition of Sage Signals, sponsored by the Nevada Cattlemen s Association. Their circulation is 600. In-kind contribution $ (See April ad - Attachment 14) 6

7 Nevada Magazine once again sponsored a half-page ad in their May-June edition, which has a statewide distribution/circulation of 152,000. In-kind contribution $ (See sample of ad - Attachment 15) The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) - Nevada State Office supported community events by providing promotional carabineer key chains and imprinted bags for distribution to participants. There were 1067 carabineers and 500 bags distributed during the awareness week. In-kind contribution $ (See sample of items - Attachment 16) Again this year, 2000 banner pens were provided, featuring evacuation guidelines and the Living With Fire website address. 780 were distributed during this awareness week. These were purchased using grant funding from BLM - Carson Field Office, in cooperation with the Carson City/Storey County Cooperative Extension office. (See design sample - Attachment 17) The USDA Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest supported community events by providing 500 imprinted jar grips featuring the Be Ember Aware! theme and Living With Fire website. In-kind contribution $ (See design sample - Attachment 18) Promotional Efforts Localized 6 hotel/casino properties, located in Carson City, Elko, Fernley, Jackpot, Reno, and Sparks participated as a community service by placing our message on their electronic marquee. (See photographs - Attachment 19) Newspaper display ads were placed in 16 Nevada newspapers providing coverage in all counties, with a total circulation of 163,005. Featuring the poster graphics and Be Ember Aware! message, the ads ran on various days during the week. Funding provided by a grant from BLM - Nevada State Office in cooperation with UNCE. (See color ad - Attachment 20, and spot color ad - Attachment 21). Additionally, BLM - Southern Nevada Field Office placed a newspaper insert in a Clark County regional newspaper, circulation 5,400, and the Pahrump Valley Mirror, circulation 6,000, featuring defensible space recommendations. The Winnemucca Field Office placed the Living With Fire A Guide for the Homeowners publication as an insert in their regional newspaper, circulation (In-kind contributions $ and $85.00 respectively) The Nevada Department of Transportation Division II in Northern Nevada participated by featuring a wildfire awareness message on their 18 Dynamic Message Signs during the week (primarily used for Amber Alerts and traffic delay messages.) These are located in Carson City, Douglas County, and Washoe County, in highly visible spots along major interstates and highways. (See photograph - Attachment 22) 7

8 A 40-foot long banner was displayed over Main Street in Carson City in advance of the week. April This was a collaborative effort by BLM, Carson City Fire Department, and UNCE. The previously purchased banner was updated courtesy of BLM. In-kind contribution $ (See photograph - Attachment 23) An article was written by Ed Smith and published in the Home and Garden section of the Reno Gazette-Journal on May 7. Featuring a dramatic photo of a wood shake roof on fire, the article offered tips on protecting your roof, rain gutters, vents and wood piles from burning embers during a wildfire. (See article - Attachment 24) The Be Ember Aware Tip-of-the-Week series was launched on May 1 to all regional and local newspapers. The 16-week series features all of the spots on or near your home that are vulnerable to ember attack during a wildfire, and make recommendations on how to reduce the threat. (See samples - Attachment 25) Ed Smith, UNCE, was interviewed about NWAW and the ember issue for broadcast on eight Reno/Sparks area radio stations. These aired primarily Sunday morning, May 3 at the start of NWAW, providing a total of 280 minutes of airtime. Additionally, KRNV- News 4 participated by featuring Ed Smith and the ember issue on their Dunbar Report on May 6, including taped interviews and 6 minutes of a live in-studio segment. Sonya Sistare, UNCE, was taped for the May airing of Extension Connection, a public service production that airs in the Clark County area. Featuring the ember theme, Sonya stressed the need for area residents to take caution when recreating in the Spring Mountain Range, especially when building campfires and using BBQ pits. 8

9 In-Kind Contributions In-Kind Contributions Non-Federal Reno Fire Department - design and printing of 600 posters Sierra Front Wildfire Cooperators - refreshments for kick-off event Galena High School & others - Supplies and labor for building the Demo House Moana Nursery - donation of 53 #15 shrubs for exchange of junipers at Junk The Junipers event Rubbish Runners - donation of three 30-yard containers for collection of discarded junipers during Junk The Junipers event Republic Services - donation of dumpsters for Spring Mountain event Evergreen Recycling - donation of dumpsters for Spring Mountain event NV State Firefighters Association - printing of flyer Nevada Cattlemen s Association - Two half-page ads in Sage Signals Nevada Magazine - half-page ad TOTAL IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS $9, In-Kind Contributions Federal BLM - Carabineer key chains for distribution at statewide events BLM - Promotional plastic bags for distribution at statewide events USDA H-T Nat l Forest - Jar grips for distribution at statewide events BLM - Regional newspaper insert, Clark County & Nye County BLM - Regional newspaper insert, Humboldt County BLM - Update of banner across Main Street, Carson City TOTAL FEDERAL CONTRIBUTIONS $4, TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS $13,

10 Events/Activities by County Attachment 1 Date(s) Event or Activity Partner(s) Participants Direct Mail Carson City April Carson Main Street Banner Carson City Fire Dept., BLM, UNCE May 3-9 Message on NDOT DMS signs NDOT May 3-9 Message on Casino Fandango marquee Casino Fandango April - May Posters displayed various locations BLM, Carson City Fire, DCNR, NDF, UNCE April - May LWF Display at Carson BLM Office BLM, UNCE May 3 Ad in Nevada Appeal BLM, UNCE May 1-31 Ember aware display at the City Hall UNCE, Carson City May 9 Lakeview Community Clean-up Carson City Fire, NFSC 17 Churchill May 8 Ad in Fallon Star Press BLM, UNCE May 6 Ad in Mailbox News BLM, UNCE May 8 Fallon NAS - Wildfire Awareness Day Fallon Federal Fire, UNCE, BLM 75 Clark April 21 Clark County Proclamation Issued UNCE, NFSC, Clark County 15 May WAW featured on Extension Connection UNCE April - May Posters displayed various locations BLM, NFSC, UNCE April 25 DS Workshop & Kick-off Event CCFD, NDF, NFSC, UNCE 43 May 7 Ad in Boulder City News BLM, UNCE May 5 Ad in Desert Valley News BLM, UNCE May 6 Insert in Moapa Valley Progress BLM, UNCE May 9 Spring Mountain Spring Clean & BBQ CCFD, BLM, NFSC, NDF, USFS, UNCE & others Douglas April 2 Douglas/EFFPD Proc.Issued East Fork FPD, NFSC, Douglas County 7 April 16 Douglas/TDFPD Proc. Issued T-D FPD, NFSC, Douglas County 5 April 29 Sheridan area community ed. night Sheridan VFD, NFSC, UNCE 12 May 3-9 Digital message on NDOT DMS signs NDOT May 2 Genoa FSC Pancake Breakfast NFSC-Genoa Chapter 40 May 5 Sierra Front Chapters BBQ mixer East Fork FPD, NFSC, UNCE 100 May 6 T-D FPD Community Meeting TDFPD, NFSC, UNCE 32 May 6 Present to Smith Vly. Advisory Council Smith Valley VFD 10 April - May Posters displayed various locations NFSC, T-D FPD, UNCE May - August Pine Nut Creek display at recreation site BLM, NFSC, UNCE May - August Info. display at Fish Springs VFD station NFSC May 9 Info. booth at TRE Community Center NFSC 75 Elko April 15 County Resolution Issued Elko County 10 May 3-9 Message on Red Lion marquee Red Lion Hotel & Casino, Elko 10

11 May 3-9 Message on Cactus Pete's marquee Cactus Pete's Resort Casino - Jackpot April - May Posters displayed various locations NDOT May 6 Ad in Elko Independent BLM, UNCE May 6 Ad in Elko Daily Free Press BLM, UNCE May 23 Annual VFD Fire Meeting NFSC Esmerald a May 7 Ad in Goldfield News BLM, UNCE Eureka April 6 County Resolution Issued Eureka County 5 April-May Posters displayed various locations Eureka Dept of Natural Resources Newsletter mailed featuring Wildfire May info Eureka Dept of Natural Resources 907 May 7 Ad in Eureka Sentinel BLM, UNCE Humboldt April 20 County Resolution Issued Humboldt County 12 April - May Posters displayed various locations BLM, NDOT May 1-9 Insert of Guide in Humboldt Sun BLM May 5 Ad in Humboldt Sun BLM, UNCE May 1-9 Message on city/county reader boards BLM May 5-8 Smokey Bear visits local schools BLM 200 Lander April - May Posters displayed various locations BLM May 6 Ad in Battle Mountain Bugle BLM, UNCE May 1-9 Message on city and county reader boards BLM May 5-8 Smokey Bear visits local schools BLM 150 May Def. Space house receives facelift BLM Lincoln May 7 Ad in Lincoln County Record BLM, UNCE Lyon April 2 County Resolution Issued Board of Lyon County Commissioners 5 May 1-30 LWF Display at Yerington branch library UNCE-Lyon County May 1-30 PSA message on KSVL morning show UNCE-Lyon County May 1-30 Statement in local newspaper UNCE-Lyon County May 3-9 Message on Pioneer Crossing marquee Pioneer Crossing Casino, Fernley May 6 Ad in Mailbox News BLM, UNCE Mineral May 7 Ad in Mineral County Independent BLM, UNCE Nye April 7 County Resolution Issued Nye County 5 April 30 Insert in Pahrump Valley Mirror BLM May 7 Ad in Tonopah Times BLM, UNCE May (TBA) Install a fire danger sign in Manhattan BLM, NFSC - Manhattan Chapter Pershing April 15 County Resolution Issued Pershing County 5 May 7 Ad in Lovelock Review-Miner BLM, UNCE 11

12 Storey April - May Posters displayed various locations Storey County Fire May 1-31 Ember display at the Courthouse UNCE, Storey County May 6 Ad in the Comstock Chronicle BLM, UNCE Washoe April 28 County Resolution Issued Washoe County 25 April - May PSA on Washoe Channel 17 UNCE, Washoe County April 22 City of Reno Proclamation City of Reno May 1 Kick-off Event at NDF, Eastlake office BLM, DCNR NDF, NFSC, USFS, UNCE, & others 75 May 3-9 Digital message on NDOT DMS signs NDOT May 3-9 Message on Nugget marquee Sparks Fire Department, Nugget May 3-9 Message on Grand Sierra marquee UNCE May 3 30-min. radio interview: KRNO FM UNCE / Americom May 3 30-min. radio interview: KODS FM UNCE/Americom May 3 30-min. radio interview: KLCA- 96.5FM UNCE/Americom May 3 30-min. radio interview: KCTQ FM UNCE/Americom May 3 30-min. radio interview: KBZZ- 1270AM UNCE/Americom May 3 30-min. radio interview: KJFK- 1230AM UNCE/Americom May 3 30-min. radio interview: KWNV- 95.5FM UNCE/Americom Moana Nursery, Rubbish Runners, USFS, UNCE, May 3 Junk the Junipers Reno Fire 106 Sierra Fire Protection District, UNCE, Washoe May 3 Mt. Rose/Galena Evac Drill Training County min. radio interview: KUNR May 5 w/glick KUNR, UNR, UNCE May 5 Education Night and BBQ NLTFPD, NFSC, UNCE, others 35 May 6 UNCE - Be Ember Aware presentation UNCE 35 May 6 Dunbar Report - segment on WAW UNR, UNCE, Sierra Fire May 7 VC Foothills community BBQ NFSC 22 Sierra Fire Protection District, UNCE, Washoe County 120 May 9 Mt. Rose/Galena Evac Drill Training April - May Posters displayed various locations BLM, NDF, NFSC, UNCE, SFPD, Sparks Fire April - May 4 - ads in the Reno Gazette-Journal BLM, UNCE May 6 Boys & Girls Club Event USFS, Boys and Girls Club of TM 175 May 8 Radio PSA on 92.9FM, The Bandit Wilks Broadcast FM The Bandit May 8 Desert Heights Elem. School event USFS 80 May 16 Mt. Rose/Galena Evac Drill Sierra Fire Protection District, & others 1100 White Pine March 25 County Resolution Issued White Pine County Board of Commissioners 4 April - May Posters displayed various locations NDOT May 6 Ad in the Ely Times BLM, UNCE Lake Tahoe-CA 12

13 April - May Posters displayed various locations Multiple partners, Tahoe Chiefs, etc. May Message on SPP May bill inserts NVEnergy/Sierra Pacific Power May 2 Girl Scouts Tree Planting-Angora USFS, NFSC, Girl Scouts of the Sierra Nevada, Americor 78 May 7 Great Basin Outdoor School Event NFSC, USFS, Camp Galilee 75 May 9 Montgomery Estates BBQ & Meeting NFSC 75 Statewide Feb Governor's Proclamation NDF, Governor Gibbons, UNCE Feb - May Chief Wright letter in support Nevada State Fire Marshal Division March Direct mail of WAW flyer Nevada State Firefighters Association, UNCE 1680 April Message on NVEnergy April bill inserts NVEnergy April Sage Signals 1/2-page ad NV Cattlemen's Assoc., Reno Fire Dept., UNCE Spring edition Pumper Magazine - cover and article NSFA, UNCE 1680 Presentation at the NFSC Annual April 17 Meeting NFSC, UNCE 120 May Sage Signals 1/2-page ad NV Cattlemen's Assoc., Reno Fire Dept., UNCE May Nevada Magazine 1/2-page ad NV Magazine, Reno Fire Dept., NFSC, Holbrook FSC April-May Internal employee message NVEnergy April 17 NACO Resolution Issued NACO 20 April 15 CA-NV-OR Multistate Proclamation Keep Oregon Green, NDF, Gov offices, etc. May 1 Senator Reid letter in support of NWAW Senator Reid's office April 30 Be Ember Aware Tip series began UNCE, RGJ & multiple rural newspapers Date(s) Event or Activity Partner(s) Participants Direct Mail TOTAL ,517 13

14 Kick-Off Event Attachment 2 14

15 Junk The Junipers Attachment 3 15

16 Spring Mountain Spring-Clean Day Attachment 4 16

17 Douglas County - Information Booth Attachment 5 17

18 CA-NV-OR Proclamation Attachment 6 18

19 Nevada Proclamation Attachment 7 19

20 Nevada Association of Counties Resolution Attachment 8 20

21 2009 Poster Attachment 9 21

22 Nevada State Fire Marshal Letter Attachment 10 22

23 NV Energy April Bill Insert Attachment 11 23

24 Sierra Pacific Power May Bill Insert Attachment 12 24

25 Nevada State Firefighters Association The Pumper Magazine Attachment 13 25

26 Nevada Cattlemen s Association - Sage Signals Attachment 14 26

27 Nevada Magazine Ad Attachment 15 27

28 BLM Promotional Items Attachment 16 28

29 Evacuation Banner Pens Attachment 17 29

30 USDA Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Promotional Item Attachment 18 30

31 Casino Digital Marquee Ads Attachment 19 31

32 Be Ember Aware Newspaper Display Ad - Color Attachment 20 32

33 Be Ember Aware Newspaper Display Ad Spot Color Attachment 21 33

34 Nevada Department of Transportation DMS Message Attachment 22 34

35 Main Street Banner Carson City Attachment 23 35

36 Reno Gazette-Journal Article Attachment 24 36

37 Be Ember Aware Tip-of-the-Week Series Attachment 25 37