Wildfire centers in Nevada, Utah to consolidate

RENO (AP) — Wildfire coordination centers in Reno and Salt Lake City will merge and operate out of a new facility in Utah.

U.S. Bureau of Land Management officials say consolidation of the Eastern Great Basin center in Salt Lake City and the Western Great Basin center in Reno is designed to save money and improve response time to wildfires.

Plans call for the new Great Basin Geographic Area Coordination Center to open in Salt Lake City in April.

The centers have been charged with getting resources to wildfires and other hazardous incidents in Nevada, Utah, southern Idaho, and small portions of California, Wyoming and Arizona.

BLM spokesman Chris Rose says the consolidation will save $305,000 a year and affect up to five employees in Reno, who will be offered positions at the new center.

Participating entities include the BLM, Forest Service, National Park Service and various state agencies.