Volume 52 | November/ December 2018
Welcome to the November/ December Network Pulse Newsletter. The Network Advisory Board is excited to share that the annual network conference has a tentative date set for April 22nd, 2019 at the Atlantis Resort. We also have some holiday safety tips that will make your home and defensible space more fire-safe for the holiday season.
Save-the-Date: 2019 Nevada Network of Fire Adapted Communities Annual Conference
The Network is working on finalizing the date for the 5 th annual Nevada Network of Fire Adapted Communities Conference. We expect to host the event on April 22 nd , 2019 at the Atlantis Resort in Reno Nevada. Look for more information in the January Edition of the Network Pulse
Fire Safety Tips for the Holidays
The Nevada Network primarily focuses on how wildfires can affect your home and community, However, fire safety within your home is a key part of preventing the start of a wildfire within your community and home as a whole. Structure fires that start within a single home often spread into the wildland and threaten whole communities. Here of some safety tips to keep in mind for this holiday season.

Winter holidays are a time for families and friends to get together, but it also means a greater risk for fire. Following a few simple tips will ensure a happy and fire-safe holiday season.

Holiday Decorating

  • Be careful with holiday decorations. Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.
  • Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn.  
  • Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.
  • Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections.
  • Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of light strands to connect.
  • Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.
  • Keep decorations away from windows and doors 

Overloaded power strips and unkempt cords pose a serious safety and fire risk during the holiday season
Holiday Entertaining

  • Test your smoke alarms and tell guests about your home fire escape plan.
  • Keep children and pets away from lit candles.
  • Keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet.
  • Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop.
  • Ask smokers to smoke outside. Remind smokers to keep their smoking materials with them so young children do not touch them.
  • Provide large, deep ashtrays for smokers. Wet cigarette butts with water before discarding.


Article adapted from NFPA’s FireWise Communities USA informational fact sheets. For more resources from NFPA please visit https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Wildfire/Wildfire-safety-tips .

More information on preparing your Nevada home for wildfire can be found at the Living With Fire website: http://www.livingwithfire.info/learning-center    

Christmas Tree Safety and Disposal
Christmas Trees, both real and artificial, can pose a significant fire risk to your home and surrounding wildland. A small fire that starts within a Christmas can quickly spread into a large uncontrollable fire. Following some of these tips will ensure a more fire safe holiday season for you and your family.

From 2010 to 2012 there were an estimated annual average of 200 Christmas trees fires that resulted in 10 deaths, 20 injuries, and $17 million in property losses (NFPA). This video from the National Fire Protection Agency shows how quickly a Christmas tree fire can take over a home and spread into the wildland.


Picking the Tree

  • Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.
  • Trees harvest on federal (Forest Service and BLM) require a harvest permit from the appropriate federal agency.
  • To harvest a christmas tree on U.S. Forest Service property, call the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest State office at (775) 331-6444 or the  Humboldt-Toiyabe Las Vegas District Office (702) 515-5000
  • To harvest a christmas tree on Bureau of Land Management property call: (775) 885-6000

Lighting the Tree

  • Use lights that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
  • Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use.
  • Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of light strands to connect.
  • Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.
  • Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.

After Christmas

  • Get rid of the tree after Christmas or when it is dry.
  • Dried-out trees are a fire danger and should not be left in the home or garage, or placed outside against the home.
  • Your local municipality or waste management service likely provides a Christmas tree-removal service right after Christmas.

Article adapted from NFPA’s FireWise Communities USA informational fact sheets. For more resources from NFPA please visit https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Wildfire/Wildfire-safety-tips .

More information on preparing your Nevada home for wildfire can be found at the Living With Fire website: http://www.livingwithfire.info/learning-center   

Network Seeking Recertification of Existing Chapters
Nevada Network of Fire Adapted Communities logo. (Gray State of Nevada shape surrounded by icons of fire adapted community members.)
Existing Network community chapters within the new Nevada Network coverage area that achieved chapter or community group membership are being asked to recertify their membership with the Network. The Network Coordinator is here to assist you with the new application process so your chapter can continue to work at reducing the threat of wildfire. The Network Coordinator will be contacting chapters in need of recertification to help facilitate the application process. If you have any questions regarding chapter status or application materials please contact the Network Coordinator via phone at 775-684-2519 or via email at MBeaudoin@Forestry.NV.Gov
Nevada Division of Forestry| The Nevada Network of Fire Adapted Communities | MBeaudoin@nv.forestry.gov