Wildlife Awareness Week starts Saturday in Carson

The 2013 Nevada Wildfire Awareness Week begins Saturday and has the theme, “Reduce the Fuel – Reduce the Risk!”

The theme is a call to action, said Ed Smith, director of the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension’s Living With Fire program.

Several events are planned in Carson City to help residents learn about reducing wildfire threats.

Saturday: A community kickoff is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Mills Park. Activities for children include games, helicopters, fire engines and Smokey Bear. Adults can visit vendors and information booths and enter a free raffle. Presentations and the raffle drawing begin at 12:30 p.m.

Monday: From 8-11 a.m. at the Legislature, visitors can see displays and photos of recent fuel-reduction projects and talk with representatives from the Bureau of Land Management, the Nevada Division of Forestry and others.

May 11: A collection site for free disposal of hazardous fuels removed from the first 30 feet surrounding homes will be in the parking area of Lowe’s from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants will be entered into a drawing for a tree from Lowe’s.

For more information on the events, visit www.LivingWithFire.info and go to the Wildfire Awareness Week tab, or contact Sonya Sistare at sistares@unce.unr.edu or 775-336-0271.