Clark County is recognizing May as Nevada Wildfire Awareness Month and is calling on all residents to work together to prevent wildfires and protect property from the threat of wildfire. Wildfire awareness season is May through October in Nevada.

“Wildfires can happen any time of year, but they are a particular threat in our region in the spring and summer months when vegetation is the driest,” said Clark County Fire Chief Billy Samuels. “We are asking the public to limit any activities that could cause fires or make a fire worse if one gets started.”

Clark County’s Fire Department, along with the Mount Charleston and Moapa Valley Fire Districts, are partnering with other local, state and federal agencies throughout the state to support wildfire awareness. Several communities in Clark County are at risk for wildfire including Kyle Canyon, Lee Canyon and Cold Creek at Mount Charleston, Mountain Springs, Trout Canyon, Blue Diamond, Nelson, Goodsprings, Moapa, Sandy Valley, and Searchlight. One of the worst natural disasters in Clark County’s history occurred on July 1, 2013, when a lightning strike ignited the enormous Carpenter 1 fire at Mount Charleston. The fire consumed almost 28,000 acres of the forest, destroyed six structures and came dangerously close to homes.  Clark County’s Wetlands Park and other parks and natural areas also are vulnerable to brush fires.

“It’s important for the public to adhere to fire restrictions that are posted in parks and on public lands,” said Fire Chief Jason Douglas, who oversees the Mount Charleston Fire Protection District. “No fireworks are allowed, and open flames are prohibited except in areas where approved fire pits and grills are located.”

The public can learn more about wildfire prevention via www.LivingWithFire.info. The theme of this year’s campaign is Battle Born Wildfire Ready. Tips to reduce the threat of wildfires include:

• Clear dead vegetation (trees, grass, leaves etc.) around your home to limit potential fire fuel.
• Properly soak and dispose of cigarette butts, charcoal briquettes and any materials that can start fires.
• Adhere to posted fire restrictions in National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Bureau of Land Management areas in Southern Nevada, including Red Rock, Mount Charleston and Lake Mead.
• Follow the rules on fireworks. The only type of consumer fireworks allowed in Clark County and the local cities are those labeled “safe and sane” that have been tested and approved by area fire departments for sale at licensed stands from June 28 through July 4. No fireworks of any type are allowed on public lands and parks – not even those labeled “safe and sane.” Over the July 4^th holiday, local nonprofit groups are allowed to sell approved fireworks at licensed and inspected fireworks stands in the community. Fireworks sold at the local stands have been tested by fire departments to ensure they don’t leak, burn too hot or project too high in the sky. “Safe and sane” fireworks generally include sparklers and fireworks that keep to a small, circular area on the ground and don’t explode in the air. Illegal fireworks include firecrackers, Roman candles, and sky rockets – anything made of highly combustible materials. Fireworks purchased from other jurisdictions, including vendors in Pahrump, Amargosa Valley, Moapa Band of Paiutes and other states, are likely to be illegal in Clark County. This includes fireworks sold outside our area that may be labeled as “safe and sane” but have not been tested or approved by local jurisdictions. To learn more, visit the inter-agency “You Light It, We Write It” campaign website at YouLightItWeWriteIt.Vegas.
• Equip all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and similar vehicles with spark arrestors.
• Remember that roofs constructed from fire resistant materials such as tile, metal or asphalt can significantly increase the survivability of your home, while wood shingle roofs are more burnable.
• If you are warned that a wildland fire is threatening your area, listen to your battery-operated radio for reports and evacuation information. Follow the instructions of local officials.

Local emergency managers encourage residents to download the free Southern Nevada Community Preparedness App to help prepare and plan for emergencies. The app offers free weather alerts, safety tips and resources to help families create personalized emergency preparedness plans and disaster supply kits. More information is available in English and Spanish at https://southern-nevada-community-preparedness-app-lasvegas.hub.arcgis.com/. The public also can sign up to receive free public safety alerts via text or email through a community notification system called CodeRED at https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/BF1085069456.  More details are on the Emergency Management Division section of the Fire Department’s website pages at www.ClarkCountyNV.gov/Fire.  

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Clark County is a dynamic and innovative organization dedicated to providing top-quality service with integrity, respect and accountability.  With jurisdiction over the world-famous Las Vegas Strip and covering an area the size of New Jersey, Clark is the nation’s 11th-largest county and provides extensive regional services to 2.4 million citizens and 45.6 million visitors a year (2023). Included are the nation’s 5th-busiest airport, air quality compliance, social services and the state’s largest public hospital, University Medical Center. The County also provides municipal services that are traditionally provided by cities to 1 million residents in the unincorporated area. Those include fire protection, roads and other public works, parks and recreation, and planning and development.