Communities urged to prepare, prevent and protect during Wildfire Awareness Month

As wildfire season approaches, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Nevada joins agencies and organizations nationwide in recognizing May as Wildfire Awareness Month. This annual campaign is a call to action for residents, communities and businesses to take simple, proactive steps to reduce wildfire risk and improve safety.

“Preparation is key,” said Brock Uhlig, BLM Nevada State Fire Management Officer. “Wildfire Awareness Month is about empowering people with the knowledge and tools they need to protect their homes, families and landscapes.”

Wildfire outlook: What to expect this season

Southern Nevada

• Severe, extreme and exceptional drought conditions (highest U.S. Drought Monitor ratings) are present across large areas and expected to persist through early summer.
• June – July: Higher elevations are predicted to have an above-normal potential for large wildfires.

Northern Nevada

• Late May – June: Elevated risk of large wildfires at lower elevations.
• Summer: Forecasts show a hotter, drier summer with above-normal potential for large wildfires.

Five ways to get ready

BLM Nevada urges everyone to take action this month. Follow these key tips to prepare and learn more at NevadaFireInfo.org/be-prepared.

1. Plan ahead for evacuation

Wildfires can spark, grow and shift direction suddenly. Be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.

• Create an evacuation plan.
• Sign up for local emergency alerts.
• Prepare a go-bag with essentials like medications, documents and supplies.

2. Make your home fire-resistant

Flying embers are the number one cause of home loss in wildfires.

• Home hardening: Retrofit vulnerable parts of your home (gutters, vents, decks) to withstand embers – often called “home hardening.”
• Maintain at least 30 feet of “defensible space” around your home by removing flammable vegetation.

3. Stay Informed

Conditions can change quickly, so stay updated:

• This season: Check Nevada’s fire danger and weather updates. Year-round: Check weather.gov/fire.
• Visit NevadaFireInfo.org for real-time fire maps, wildfire cameras and resources.

4. Be Smoke Ready

Wildfire smoke harms everyone, even far from the flames. It can cause serious symptoms and worsen existing conditions like asthma and heart disease.

• Track local air quality at AirNow.gov or with the EPA AirNow free app.
• There are multiple ways to reduce your exposure. Create a “clean room” indoors with filtered air.
• Wear a respirator mask (N95) outdoors. Cloth masks won’t protect you against smoke particles.

5. Prevent Wildfires

Nationwide, people cause 85 percent of wildfires. The leading causes in Nevada are fireworks, vehicle/equipment sparks and open burning. You can help prevent fires.

• Always follow current fire restrictions.
• Avoid activities that can cause sparks (e.g., dragging chains and shooting on hot, windy days).
• Keep firefighting tools like shovels, extinguishers and five gallons or more of water nearby.