This success story showcases how the Carson City Fire Department's Wildland Fuels Division is enhancing community wildfire preparedness through education, hands-on workshops, and the implementation of Ready, Set, Go! (RSG) resources that equip residents with practical tools to reduce wildfire risk, improve defensible space, and plan for evacuation. As wildfire risk continues to grow in the wildland-urban interface, this proactive, education-centered approach empowers community members to take informed action before a wildfire occurs - supporting greater community resilience and long-term preparedness through shared responsibility.
Located in Western Nevada near the Sierra Nevada mountains, Carson City faces some of the nation’s most pressing wildland-urban interface (WUI) risks. With dense vegetation, dry conditions, and neighborhoods steadily expanding toward fire-prone areas, the threat of wildfire looms large. For the Carson City Fire Department, wildfire preparedness isn’t just a programmatic goal – it’s a lifeline for the safety and resilience of their community.
Leading these efforts is the Wildland Fuels Division, whose vision has placed community education at the center of wildfire risk reduction. By using the Ready, Set, Go! Program, they have found powerful ways to connect residents to valuable information and inspire proactive steps at home.
The Wildland Fuels Manager, Kimberly Fahey, describes the program’s resources as “excellent educational tools” – materials that are efficient, easy to present, and adaptable to audiences ranging from civic leaders to families. She emphasizes the impact of the youth guides, noting how their interactive design draws younger generations into the wildfire preparedness conversation in meaningful, lasting ways.
On February 25, 2025, the Wildland Fuels Division hosted an educational workshop supported by the Bureau of Land Management. Participants learned about the Community Fire Assistance Program and how to access available resources. The event highlighted several free community services, including defensible space inspections, removal of dead vegetation and hazardous fuels, improvement of firebreaks, and clearing of brush along roadways and driveways. Attendees received updates on current and upcoming projects aimed at reducing wildfire risk and enhancing community safety. The workshop also featured a hands-on wildfire resilience scenario activity, along with an engaging discussion on evacuation and emergency management. An after-action review allowed participants to reflect on lessons learned and shared best practices. The event concluded with a collaborative discussion on the next steps to strengthen local preparedness and continue building community wildfire resilience.
This program's tools are more than just handouts – they are conversation starters, trust builders, and bridges between technical wildfire science and everyday decision-making. By incorporating them into workshops, neighborhood events, and one-on-one interactions, the Carson City Fire Department has created opportunities for residents to not only learn about defensible space and evacuation planning but also to take ownership of their role in reducing risk.