Fire-conscious Nevadans to learn more about prevention

Representatives from chapters of the Nevada Fire Safe Council will be in Carson City today and Thursday to learn more about reducing wildfire risks.

The two-day event, at the Plaza Motel Conference Center, is open and free to the public.

"This is the first time we'll meet in Carson City," said Andrew List, executive director of the council, which has its headquarters here in Carson City.

State Sen. Mark Amodei, R-Carson City, will give the keynote address, which will discuss what government and residents can do to address the threat.

Other highlights include an afternoon presentation by Ed Smith, with University of Nevada, Reno, Cooperative Extension. "Living With Fire" will highlight what people can do to reduce the danger on their own property. It begins at 1:40 p.m. today.

And Norb Szczurek, division chief for the North Lake Tahoe fire protection district, will talk about his experience during the Waterfall fire. He'll begin at 9 a.m. Thursday.

Events begin at 9 a.m. both days.

They'll also be a display in the Capitol Plaza 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday that focuses on "the wildfire experience," List said.

During the two-day event, council members will meet with legislators to lobby their cause. In 2005, the council received $1.6 million from the state to fund their efforts and would like $1.9 million this time, List said.

Nevada Wildland Fire Awareness Week, May 19-25, is when the organization pushes hard to make residents aware of wildfires and what they can do to lessen the threat.

More than 1.3 million acres burned in Nevada during 2006, according to the council. State and local officials have warned that this year could be especially dangerous.

The council is a nonprofit organization with 3,000 members statewide and in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.

If you go

WHAT: Nevada Fire Safe Council

membership meeting

WHEN: Today and Thursday, starting at 9 a.m.

WHERE: Plaza Hotel Conference Center, Ninth and Plaza streets.

Call: 884-4455 or visit www.nvfsc.org