Fire safe councils educate homeowners

Staff Reports

Much of Douglas County is still green thanks to a wet winter, but that green will dry to tinder brown in many parts as May turns to June.

That's why Ann Grant and about 1,200 other Douglas County residents organized fire safe councils in their neighborhoods.

Grant is on the Skyland Fire Safe Council and a member of the board of directors for the state organization.

Formed in 2003 to enlist and educate residents in fire prevention, fire safe councils are established in Holbrook, the Pine Nuts, Jobs Peak, Jacks Valley, Glenbrook, Skyland, Chimney Rock, Round Hill and Cave Rock among others.

In all, the 14 Douglas County chapters have been involved in informing residents about defensible space and planting to prevent fire.

"Really none of us knew much about how fire acts," Grant said. "We learned what defensible space was."

Defensible space allows firefighters to have room around a home to fight a fire. It also helps keep a fire from spreading from one home to another.

"We work to encourage a sense of personal responsibility to make our neighbors aware of what it takes to be a good neighbor," she said.

Fire safe councils have been involved in thinning brush and removing dead vegetation.

"We spent $1,000 to do a project where we bagged pine needles and cones," Grant said. "The Pine Nut chapter is installing a second water tank, some are doing education."

As part of the educational process, council members have received support from Douglas County commissioners who declared May 20-26 Nevada Wildland Fire Awareness Week.