14.0 Eureka County Conclusions

The RCI Project Team developed the recommendations for Eureka County communities based on site-specific conditions observed during the wildfire risk and hazard assessments and information provided by local fire departments and agencies. General and specific recommendations provide a starting point so that each community described in this report can take a proactive approach to implement projects to reduce the risks of loss of life, property, and natural resources from a wildland fire.

Initial attack for wildland fires in or near the wildland-urban interface around Eureka County communities depends on volunteer response. Volunteers may not be available for a rapid response to a worst-case wildfire incident. Defensible space will help mitigate some of the hazards associated with limited fire suppression availability and provide a greater level of safety to Eureka County residents.

The Bureau of Land Management Battle Mountain Field Office has a good start on fuel reduction treatments on public lands in the wildland-urban interface and is encouraged to continue with existing plans, prioritizing treatment areas closest to community boundaries. Many homeowners have implemented defensible space treatments in Eureka County. The Nevada Division of Forestry is available to assist private property owners with additional fuel reduction on private land.

There is no way to completely eliminate the threat that wildfires present to communities in the wildland-urban interface. However, the recommendations in this report are intended to increase public responsibility and encourage concerned community members to be proactive in reducing the risk of wildfire ignitions near their communities. Creating and maintaining defensible space on private property and increasing public awareness of the risks and potential for damage or loss of lives and property associated with living in a fire prone environment is best accomplished at the local level.

The recommendations presented for each community in this report should be considered a starting point for addressing community wildfire safety. Long-term community safety from wildfire and protection of local agricultural based economies requires a permanent commitment to the enforcement of fire safe ordinances at the local level and dedicated attention to fuels management. Regular monitoring of fuel conditions and periodic updates to this report should include new recommendations for maintenance or implementation of additional treatments as development continues to encroach at the wildland-urban interface.