The fires in southern California are a stark reminder that fire season can be 365 days out of the year.
"There is snow in the mountains, but there has not been anything on the valley here and we haven't been getting that rain that we need," said Fire Chief Dave Cochran, Reno Fire Department.
However, this is not ideal when it comes to preventing fires.
"I really want to stress that now is a time to be vigilant," said Mayor Hillary Schieve, City of Reno.
Our region is no stranger to massive fires.
The Davis Fire exhausted every local resource.
The Callahan Fire last year and the Pinehaven Fire in 2020, were fires that started in November.
The City of Reno is asking that each neighborhood and community have plans in place in the event you have to leave your home.
"Make sure that you're identifying the exit routes in your neighborhood not only for yourself but for your neighbors including children and who has animals within your community," said Brandi Anderson, Councilmember, Reno Ward 6.
Firefighters say like the southern California fires, winds here are always going to be a concern for spread of a fire.
First responders are asking people to have go-bags ready at all times with medications, documents and non-perishable foods.
Reno fire says residents should be working now to remove debris and brush away to build defensible space around your home.
"That helps make our job easier, our job as fire fighters because if we can defend that home easier because you've done the pre-work, we can save your home," Fire Chief Cochran said.
As Smokey Bear says, only you can prevent wildfires.
"The vast majority of fires are human caused," Fire Chief Cochran said. "Now, that doesn't mean arson, that just means a human did something or didn't do something to prevent a fire from being caused."
Reno Fire Department has about nine personnel down fighting the Eaton Fire and could be sending more.
Lending a helping hand like this, is what makes the region work well together.
Chief Cochran stressed that no one agency can tackle a large fire, adding that the relationships among all agencies is crucial to keeping the public safe.
Mayor Schieve says that February 6, there will be a regional meeting at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.
Fire agencies, Truckee Meadows Water Authority, NDOT, lawmakers and more will be there to give their plans to combat a massive fire.
It is open to the public so they can ask questions or raise concerns.
