Fire officials urge defensible-space work; community evacuation drill planned
May 18, 2026 | Washoe County, Nevada
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Joe Showman, division chief for Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue, briefed the CAB on fire-prevention priorities for the spring season and urged residents to create defensible space around homes.
"Let's keep that defensible space, the 30‑ft clear space around your home, 100‑ft clear space with the canopies of trees," Showman said, and recommended proper storage and disposal of oily rags and other ignition sources.
Showman described the department's use of weather and fuel‑moisture monitoring stations, noting weekly reports from NV Energy, Cooperative Extension and the BLM that inform response and pre‑season preparations. He said current fuel‑moisture readings vary across the county and that some areas are already drying toward burn-prone conditions; the department reported a recent 3.5‑acre wildfire.
CAB members and staff also discussed community preparedness: Barbara Penney said a neighborhood-wide evacuation drill is scheduled for the 30th (organized by Somerset and neighboring subdivisions) and that a meeting point is planned at Billinghurst Middle School following the drill. The CAB also highlighted a green‑waste collection day (grant-supported) to help seniors and residents remove yard debris as fuel-reduction work.
Action and resources: staff pointed attendees to evacuation checklists and Cooperative Extension materials, and encouraged residents to follow public notices and attend preparedness events.
Next steps: residents should follow local guidance on defensible space and watch for county communications about the evacuation drill and future green-waste events.
"Let's keep that defensible space, the 30‑ft clear space around your home, 100‑ft clear space with the canopies of trees," Showman said, and recommended proper storage and disposal of oily rags and other ignition sources.
Showman described the department's use of weather and fuel‑moisture monitoring stations, noting weekly reports from NV Energy, Cooperative Extension and the BLM that inform response and pre‑season preparations. He said current fuel‑moisture readings vary across the county and that some areas are already drying toward burn-prone conditions; the department reported a recent 3.5‑acre wildfire.
CAB members and staff also discussed community preparedness: Barbara Penney said a neighborhood-wide evacuation drill is scheduled for the 30th (organized by Somerset and neighboring subdivisions) and that a meeting point is planned at Billinghurst Middle School following the drill. The CAB also highlighted a green‑waste collection day (grant-supported) to help seniors and residents remove yard debris as fuel-reduction work.
Action and resources: staff pointed attendees to evacuation checklists and Cooperative Extension materials, and encouraged residents to follow public notices and attend preparedness events.
Next steps: residents should follow local guidance on defensible space and watch for county communications about the evacuation drill and future green-waste events.
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