Official warns of winter wildfires in dry Nevada
CARSON CITY -- State Forester Pete Anderson advised residents Friday that winter wildfires are possible through almost all of the state, except the Spring Mountains outside of Las Vegas.
December was the first month since 1883 when no precipitation was recorded in the Reno-Carson City area and dry conditions are being forecast for the next few days.
"In my 35 years-plus (in forestry)," I have never seen anything like this," Anderson said. "To go a month without precipitation is shocking."
While the Mount Charleston area has drawn snow, he said ski resorts at Lake Tahoe have done without anything but man-made snow. Because of the drought, wildfires are possible throughout most of the state, including Lincoln and Nye counties. Already winter wildfires have hit Washoe, Elko, Humboldt and Eureka counties, damaging wildlife habitat and livestock operations.
In 2011, the state recorded 814 wildfires that burned over 423,768 acres, just shy of the five year average of 428,084 acres burned.
"We are in a weather situation in which wildfire does not respect the calendar," Anderson said.
"Human caused wildfires can be prevented and I encourage all Nevadans to exercise extreme caution in areas with dry vegetation."
Contact Capital Bureau Chief Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3900.
