Date: October 7, 2004

CONTACT: Jamie Thompson, Public Affairs Officer, (775) 623-1500

WILDFIRE SUPPORT GROUP HELPS BLM MANAGE FIRE

Ranchers and other private citizens in Northern Nevada formed a group three years ago to help the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Winnemucca Field Office with wildfire suppression and fuels reduction. The Wildfire Support Group (WSG) now numbers 45 members and has improved BLM's ability to locate, reach and suppress wildfires in remote areas and lessen the risk of catastrophic wildfires by reducing the amount of fuels present.

"We are very pleased to have the support of such dedicated people," said Jeffrey Fedrizzi, BLM's Fire Management Officer in Winnemucca. "The WSG is a model of how local residents can properly become involved in preventing and suppressing wildfire that other BLM offices across the West may choose to follow."

During 2004, even with its unusually quiet fire season, the Wildfire Support Group helped BLM with four wildfires and has provided invaluable assistance as eyes in the field that can determine whether reported smokes are from wildfires or from planned and controlled fires associated with agricultural operations. "The WSG 'forward observer' role has saved us a tremendous amount of time and wasted effort by letting us know whether an engine is really needed at a smoke before we send one many miles up the road," said Tom Cary, Manager of the Central Nevada Interagency Dispatch Center at the Winnemucca airport. "This lets us make better, smarter use of our fire-fighting equipment and personnel."

This fall the WSG will be working on a number of projects that will allow for grazing system changes necessary to begin fuels management grazing plans. These projects involve installation of the following improvements:

• Six miles of water pipelines.
• Six water storage tanks for fire control and grazing.
• Ten livestock water troughs.
• Six miles of fencing.

These projects are being constructed on a cost-share basis, with BLM funding half of the project costs and the Wildfire Support Group funding the other half.

"It's a win-win situation for everyone," added Fedrizzi, "BLM gets needed fire management help from people familiar with local conditions and area ranchers get financial and planning help in developing range improvements that simultaneously benefit their livestock operations and reduce fuel loads on public lands."

- BLM -