Controlled burn in Lockwood

The Nevada Division of Forestry and Storey County Fire Department held a controlled burn yesterday in Storey County’s community of Lockwood. Click the image to view the slideshow.

 

Firefighters and foresters worry about lack of firefighting funds (KRNV)

The fire season is still several months away, but firefighters say they’re already concerned about a lack of manpower and money.

Fire season traditionally begins in May or June in Southern Nevada and moves north as the weather warms. State crews are at full capacity for this year, but Nevada forester Pete Anderson says, there will be less help when that fire season is upon us.

Read the complete story at KRNV.com.

NDF Responds: Fire departments complain about NDF slowness (Ely Times)

The Nevada Division of Forestry clarified today information that appeared in the March 5, 2008, Ely Times story, “Fire departments complain about NDF slowness.” NDF comments are in bold. See also, “White Pine County may establish its own new fire district (Ely Times): NDF responds.”

Fire departments complain about NDF slowness

By JOHN PLESTINA
Ely Times Reporter

Representatives from the Lackawanna and Lund fire departments chastised the Nevada Division of Forestry at a county commission meeting on Feb. 27 for failing to repair trucks and equipment in a timely manner.

Strong comments directed at the NDF came during a discussion about a draft of an agreement that would form a new fire district. Nevada statutes permit counties to form locally controlled fire districts that are not directly managed by the Nevada Division of Forestry.

Mary Walker & Associates of Minden is currently conducting an analysis for a new fire district. The county commission retained the firm in January. That study is about a month away from completion.

Issues that fire departments throughout White Pine County have with state management include what some fire chiefs are calling slow repairs to trucks and equipment by NDF mechanics.

NDF CORRECTION: Repairs are accomplished as they are discovered or relayed up the chain of command from the local fire department. There was a period of time when NDF personnel were not allowed access to fire stations. In addition, communication from local fire departments was limited. Any repairs that are currently being performed by NDF mechanics or staff are ones that have been discovered during regularly scheduled monthly inspections.

With a locally controlled fire district, funding that is currently going to the NDF would go to local departments and could fund repairs.

NDF CLARIFICATION: There is currently a vehicle repair line item in the budget for White County Fire Protection District. White Pine County funds are only used to repair vehicles or equipment in the White Pine County Fire Protection District.

Deadline near for panel’s Tahoe fire report (RGJ)

Eight months after flames roared through a Lake Tahoe community, destroying 254 homes, a special panel established to avoid future disasters is nearing its deadline.

By March 21, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons expect a report on how to avoid a repeat of last June’s Angora Fire. This week, the California-Nevada Tahoe Basin Fire Commission is scheduled to sort through some 120 different recommendations crafted to achieve that goal.

Read the complete story at the Reno Gazette-Journal.