With nearly half a million acres burned across Nevada so far this year, wildfire preparedness remains important even as fall brings cooler weather and changing conditions. Residents can take steps around their homes now to reduce fire risks before the season moves on.
Living With Fire, an extension of the University of Nevada, Reno's College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources, reported in its October update that dry conditions and intermittent heat continue across the state.
As of Oct. 9, Nevada's Wildfire Information Dashboard showed 35 ongoing fires statewide and 497,035 acres burned in 2026.
Nationally, more than 9 million acres had burned in 63,681 fires as of Oct. 9, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. That represents 134% of the 10-year average number of fires and 145% of the average acreage burned by that date.
Living With Fire encourages residents to be careful with activities that could spark a fire, including target shooting, driving and towing vehicles, operating equipment, burning debris, and having campfires.
Fall is also a good time to clear away vegetation and other materials that can fuel a fire. Leaves, pine needles, cones, and dead plants can collect in yards and on roofs, while dry shrubs and overgrown grass add to the potential hazards around homes.
Residents are encouraged to trim shrubs, remove dead vegetation, and clear leaves and other yard waste from roofs and gutters. Grass and weeds should be mowed to 4 inches or less.
The area immediately surrounding a home also deserves attention. Living With Fire recommends keeping the first 5 feet around a home free of debris and moving combustible materials away from the structure.
Firewood should be stored at least 30 feet from a home, with flammable vegetation cleared within 10 feet of the woodpile. Residents can also check roofs, vents, windows, decks, and fences for features that could leave their homes vulnerable to wildfire.
For people looking to take a more active role in preparing their neighborhoods, Living With Fire has several learning opportunities scheduled this fall.
An Oct. 15 webinar will cover participatory mapping, which helps community leaders identify important local resources, recognize vulnerabilities, and prioritize wildfire preparedness efforts. A second webinar, scheduled for Nov. 10, will focus on ways to encourage neighbors to take part in wildfire mitigation.
In-person workshops are also planned to help communities evaluate wildfire risk reduction options and develop strategies for getting neighbors involved. A workshop on prioritizing fuels management and risk reduction options is scheduled for Oct. 17 and Oct. 20, while a community engagement workshop is set for Nov. 14.
Looking ahead, the 2027 Fire Adapted Nevada Summit is scheduled for March 18-19 at the University of Nevada, Reno. Living With Fire is seeking ideas for presentations, discussions, and other topics to help shape the event.
Residents can find more information about wildfire preparedness, upcoming workshops, and webinars through Living With Fire.
