10.0 Storey County Conclusions

The RCI Project Team developed the recommendations in this report based on site-specific conditions observed during the risk and hazard assessments and information provided by local fire departments and agencies. General and specific recommendations provide a starting point for each community to take a proactive approach in implementing projects to reduce the risks for loss of life, property, and natural resources during a wildland fire. For it is not a matter of if a wildfire will start, but rather when and where the next wildfire ignition will occur.

There is potential for catastrophic wildfire in the wildland-urban interface area around Virginia City, the Virginia Highlands, and Gold Hill. In many cases the fuel hazards identified in these communities are the results of a build up of fuels and combustible debris adjacent to old wooden structures and fences. Removal of debris and excess vegetation as described in the defensible space guidelines will remedy many of the hazards and provide a greater level of fire safety to these communities. Local ordinances that support enforcement of defensible space requirements will greatly facilitate implementation of needed fuel reduction on a community-wide basis.

High tourist occupancy and recreational off-road traffic during the summertime increases the risk of a human caused fire ignition. It also heightens the need for well-developed community evacuation plans that are readily communicated to tourists as well as local residents.

Wildfire suppression resources are available throughout Storey County. The Storey County Fire Department, the Nevada Division of Forestry 473 Fire Protection District, and the additional resources that respond under cooperative mutual aid agreements have been successful in minimizing wildfires through rapid response to both human and lightning caused ignitions.

The Highlands Fire Safe Coalition has demonstrated that grassroots community coordination is an effective tool for securing funding, planning, and implementing large-scale projects to protect resources, property, and life in the wildland interface. The experiences of the Coalition are a valuable resource for other areas in Storey County and statewide as they prepare to address wildfire threats to their communities.

To be most effective, fire safe practices need to be implemented on a community-wide basis. There is no way to completely eliminate the threat that wildfires present to communities at the wildland-urban interface. However, the recommendations in this report are intended to increase public awareness and encourage all community members to take proactive steps to effectively reduce the risk of wildfire ignitions and catastrophic wildfires within and near their communities. Implementing defensible space, fuel reduction projects, and a strong public education program will help to mitigate the current hazards inherent in wildland interface areas, and maintenance of these treatments will assure a fire safe community into the future.