May is Wildfire Awareness Month

May is Wildfire Awareness Month

May 7, 2025

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.

Wildland firefighters construct fireline on the 2022 Dodge Springs Fire in Ely, Nevada. BLM Photo / Alyssa Engdahl

"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 ratings on US Drought Monitor scale) 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.

Whisky Canyon Fire. July 22, 2024. BLM Nevada, Battle Mountain District. Credit: BLM

Five ways to get ready

BLM Nevada urges everyone to take action this month. Follow these steps 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.

1. Make your home fire-resistant

Flying embers are the #1 cause of home loss in wildfires (60-90% on average).

• 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.

1. Stay Informed

Conditions can change quickly-stay updated:

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

1. Be Smoke Ready

Wildfire smoke harms everyone, even far from the flames. It can cause serious symptoms and worsen some 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 an N95 respirator outdoors-cloth masks won't protect against smoke particles.

1. Prevent Wildfires

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

• Always follow current fire restrictions.
• Avoid activities that can cause sparks (e.g., dragging chains, shooting on hot, windy days).
• Keep firefighting tools like shovels, extinguishers, and 5+ gallons of water nearby.

This May-and all year-remember: Spark Safety, Not Wildfires!

Video & campaign by BLM Nevada & Maverik - Adventure's First Stop gas station chain

NevadaFireInfo.org is your go-to source for wildfire updates - prevention, safety - restrictions, real-time maps, cameras - and fire career opportunities in Nevada.