BLM Nevada’s New Approach to Wildfire Prevention
Story by Rita Henderson, BLM Nevada New Media Lead; and Rachel Wootton, WO National Conservation Lands. Photos by BLM.
This summer, BLM Nevada developed a coordinated fire prevention campaign which included three wildfire prevention teams and an innovative public engagement strategy. The teams were made up of BLM, USFS, and fire prevention staff from various states, who traveled around Nevada to share fire prevention information and reach target audiences.
While each team provided critical fire prevention information, they all had a slightly different focus. The first team consisted of mostly BLM Nevada staff who traveled the entire state sharing safety messages on target shooting. The second team consisted of media experts from the BLM and USFS who focused on video, images, and media content for social and traditional media. The team used a wide array of strategies, from Facebook Live posts focusing on defensible space and fuel loading to informational videos and web content. The third team focused on reaching out of state visitors and those gearing up for hunting season. As a part of the campaign, the team developed educational materials to share wildfire prevention information in a new way.
BLM Nevada is using new ways to connect with the public and prevent wildfires. Through social media, written information, and in-person conversations, the teams spread information about human-caused wildfires. Visit and follow BLM Nevada on Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr to see more of the campaign and help us prevent wildfires!Here are some safety tips provided by the teams:
Keep campfires small and controllable, completely extinguish them before leaving, and bring water, bucket, and shovel just in case.
Secure trailer chains to avoiding starting a wildfire.
Avoid driving or parking vehicles in grassy areas where tall, dry grass could come in contact with exhaust or undercarriage of vehicles.
When shooting on public lands, don't shoot into dry grass or rocks that might sparks. Make sure you bring water, a shovel, and a fire extinguisher with you, just in case.