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Protecting Somersett from Wildfire
Protecting Somersett from
Somersett is over 3,000 acres of rangeland and to attempt to
clear fire fuels from all areas annually would cost more than the entire SOA budget. So, we must be smart about where, when and how we mitigate by using a measured plan targeting the highest risk areas and using the most cost-effective methods. This year the SOA is thinning and removing fire fuels in the biggest risk areas using a mosaic technique.
We’re also moving to create a Firewise community. We’ll be working with Nevada Division of Forestry and others to create a multi-year plan to build continuous improvement and lower fire risk.
Read on to learn how you can do your part and slow the spread of fire by creating defensive space around your property.
The following is by Reno Fire Marshal Tray Palmer, who is a Somersett resident.
Preparing for Summer
The Somersett community borders a high hazard wildland-urban interface area. As vegetation dries out, the potential of uncontrolled fire increases. It only takes one spark. Wildfire knows no boundary. A fire in Verdi can quickly spread and threaten your home here in the Somerset community.
• Simple property maintenance will slow the spread of fire when the next wildfire occurs. • Keep hot embers from entering your attic and living space by clearing juniper, pine shrubs, and combustible ground covers like pine needles, leaf litter, and wood chips at least 5 feet away from your exterior walls and decks. • Make sure the protective flashing at the bottom of your exterior walls is intact. • Keep your rain gutter free of leaves, needles, and debris. • Remove tree limbs that are within 6 feet of the roof and remove evergreen tree limbs that are close to the ground to keep a ground cover fire from progressing into a larger crowning fire.
Make sure we can quickly get to you in the event of an emergency. Make sure your address is clearly posted from street view and in contrasting color. Make sure your closest fire hydrant is unobstructed. A firefighter needs a clear space of three feet around the entire hydrant to connect a hose and turn on the valve. Any vegetation planted within 3 feet of the hydrant must be removed. Don’t park in front of emergency access gates or fire lanes. Our apparatuses need a minimum of 20 feet width on access roads to correctly respond to and set up suppression operations.
If You Evacuate
In the event of an evacuation and if there is time: • Close all interior doors and windows. • Remove combustible curtains from around your windows. • Turn off all pilot lights to gas appliances. • Move overstuffed furniture to the center of the room. • Turn off air conditioning. • Turn on outside lights. • Leave exterior gates unlocked. • Place an “EVACUATED” sign in the front window or on the main door.
If authorities issue an evacuation notice, be ready to leave with your important documents, pets, medications and spare clothing if possible. Do not wait until it is too late to leave the area. Any delay in deciding whether to evacuate or not can lead to tragic consequences. your household that you feel is important for us to know about at the time of an emergency, we can ensure you and everything you care about is protected to the best of our ability. Please visit https://www.communityconnect.io/info/ nv-reno to create your profile.
Community Connect
The Reno Fire Department’s Community Connect is a free, secure, and easy to use platform that allows you to share critical information about your household that will aid first responders and emergency response personnel when responding to your residence. By providing information about
Fire is everyone’s fight. Help keep this Somersett community safe by doing your part.
Cooking classes • Catering • Gourmet deli Kitchen store • Spices by the tablespoon Knife sharpening —SERVING LUNCH— 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Mon. – Fri., 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Sat. UPCOMING COOKING CLASSES
May 7 Chile Relleno W/S May 11 Techniques 3 May 12 Flavor Dynamics May 13 Ramen & Asian Dumpling Workshop May 14 Pâté & Eclairs May 17 Teens Cook! May 18 Techniques 4 May 19 Sushi May 20 Taste of Greece May 21 Lean & Green Meals May 25 Techniques 5 May 26 Taste of S. Italy May 27 Grilling 101 June 1 Techniques 6 June 2 Taste of India June 3 Barefoot in Paris June 4 Cinnamon Roll Workshop June 8 Flavor Dynamics June 9 Southern Table June 10 Ravioli & Tortellini June 11 Summer Salads June 14 Kids’ Cooking Camp June 15 L.A. Mexicano June 16 Taste of Thailand June 17 Couples at the Grill June 18 Culinary Basics Workshop June 21 Teen’s Cooking Camp June 22 Taste of Tuscany June 23 Summer Slow Cooker
