LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — While our record-breaking hot summer is behind us, as we approach the end of 2024, scorching temperatures will be back next year, fueling future fire danger in Nevada.
Federal, state, and local land management and fire agencies are staying ahead, renewing a five-year joint services agreement to help Nevada better prevent and respond to fires and other natural disasters.
Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo was joined by officials from the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Nevada Division of Forestry and local fire agencies at BLM’s Red Rock Fire Station Friday morning to sign what’s known as a “Shared Stewardship Agreement,” which allows better resource sharing between federal, state and local land management organizations when fighting and preventing wildfires.
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Fires are getting bigger and more severe and happening more frequently in Nevada and throughout the West, largely due to record heat drying out fire fuels–like invasive grass species—across the state. That’s why officials say working together is more important than ever.
“Because quite often whenever we respond to a crisis, just about every agency responding doesn’t have enough resources to accomplish the task,” Lombardo said. “With the Shared Stewardship [Agreement], that fixes that.”
The state says wildfires are one of the biggest threats to our landscape in the coming years. This was seen in 2024 with major fires in Northern Nevada, like the nearly 6,000-acreDavis Fire near Reno in September, and several fires in Southern Nevada in the Spring Mountains west of Las Vegas this fire season.
READ MORE: Crews from across the state, including Clark County, help respond to Davis Fire
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Crews from across the state, including Clark County, help respond to Davis Fire
The Shared Stewardship Agreement isn’t just for fighting wildfires that pop up but also for helping prevent them through active land management and forestry practices.
“To put it back to a condition that makes it more fire resilient,” Jon Raby, Nevada State Director for the BLM, said in a Friday interview. “We’re always going to have fire on the landscape, but we don’t want it to be of a nature that is ultra damaging to property, homes and communities.”
Governor Lombardo and other officials also cite the first version of the Shared Stewardship Agreement as a key factor in how the state responded to catastrophic flooding at Mt. Charleston last August caused by remnants of Tropical Storm Hillary.
This is the second time a Shared Stewardship Agreement has been signed in Nevada–the first was signed by then-Governor Steve Sisolak in 2019. The current version will take effect in 2025 and run through 2030.
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The first version created 13 “Shared Stewardship Priority Landscapes,” which are focus areas for these agencies to direct most of their land management work.
Two are located in Clark County: Spring Mountains-Pahrump south and west of Las Vegas, and the Virgin-Muddy northeast of Las Vegas along the I-15 corridor on the way to Mesquite.
So, what does that mean for you?
That means if you decide to go for a hike at Red Rock Canyon, Mt. Charleston, or Valley of Fire State Park (outside of the dates it’s closed for maintenance, December 2-15), you might see more crews from various agencies working together to maintain the land in the off-season, reduce fuels, and prepare for future fire seasons.
Learn more about Nevada’s Shared Stewardship Agreement by clicking here.
Neither of the authors of “Homesteading 2.0” (Dec. 15 Review-Journal) lives in Nevada. Yet, they believe they are qualified to advocate for increased development of our public lands.
To date, much new development has focused on luxury housing and green energy projects, rather than the need for affordable housing. While the authors acknowledge our successful conservation efforts, they fail to mention that current residents are being heavily regulated by the water authority, facing penalties, and pressured to reduce water usage. Lawns are being replaced with desert landscaping, and ongoing development to accommodate growth is contributing to the urban heat island effect. This growth has led to more congested roadways, wildlife encroaching into urban areas due to habitat loss and reduced access to recreational spaces that residents once enjoyed.
One of the defining features of Las Vegas was the open space surrounding the valley, which has long been a unique advantage of living in the Southwest. We must carefully consider how much growth we are willing to support moving forward.
Due to rainy weather forecast, the Annual Menorah Lighting in Nevada City has been moved indoors to The Miners Foundry (325 Spring St, Nevada City). Co-sponsored by Chabad of Grass Valley and The Miners Foundry, this special and FREE Chanukah celebration will take place on Thursday, December 26, at 4:00 p.m., and the public is invited to join the fun.
This year, for the first time ever, the event will feature the lighting of a 12-foot illuminated menorah, the largest and brightest in Nevada County. The menorah lighting promises to be an inspiring and memorable moment, bringing the community and our elected officials together to celebrate the message of Chanukah.
The evening will also include a unique performance by a Hassidic fire performer from Brooklyn, adding excitement and energy to the festivities. Guests will enjoy live Chanukah music, singing, and dancing, along with warm Starbucks coffee. Delicious latkes and donuts will be served, and there will be Chanukah gelt and dreidels for everyone to enjoy.
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“Chanukah is about bringing more light into the world each day,” said Rabbi Nochum Yusewitz. “We’re grateful to be able to gather indoors this year to keep everyone warm and dry while celebrating the holiday together. Although it’s the 9th year we are organizing this, there are lots of ‘firsts’ this year so that’s very exciting.”
For more information about the event, about Chanukah or about Chabad call Rabbi Nochum at 530-404-0030 or email hello@JewishGV.com
Celebrating 50 years in business, Nevada County Properties | Recreation Realty, Inc. is thrilled to announce the consolidation of their two offices, Broad Street Nevada City and Hwy 20 at Harmony Ridge to its original home on Highway 20, Nevada City, at Harmony Ridge, this December! This move not only brings the company “back to its roots” but also provides the community with a newly expanded and renovated hub for convenience and connection.
The updated building is now home to three unique businesses: Nevada County Properties | Recreation Realty, Inc., Tour of Nevada City Bicycle Shop Outpost, and Harmony Ridge Market, offering residents and visitors a one-stop destination for real estate inquiries, outdoor recreation needs, and a local deli and convenience store all at the entrance to the popular Scotts Flat Lake recreation destination.
Founded in 1973, Nevada County Properties | Recreation Realty, Inc. has long been a trusted name in Nevada County real estate. The return to the Highway 20 location, at the entrance to Scotts Flat Lake where the company’s journey began, not only honors this legacy but also introduces clients to an exciting new collaborative space. The recently updated building has been thoughtfully designed to create a dynamic community hub, offering clients and locals a seamless experience across real estate, biking & hiking trails, and a convenient market & deli.
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“This move is more than just returning to our roots—it’s about embracing the future of community collaboration,” said John Hensley, Realtor Emeritus. “We have proudly operated from this location since 1973, and it feels great to have the entire team together in one place that has always brought us prosperity. Now, we’re thrilled to welcome the Tour of Nevada City Bicycle Shop — Outpost location to our shared space, alongside our long-time neighbor, Harmony Ridge Market.”
“All three businesses are seamlessly connected,” Hensley added, “with a convenient path around the right side of the building leading from the real estate offices and the market to the Outpost’s front entrance. It’s been a rewarding and exciting process to create a multi-function facility in the heart of Nevada County recreation and living. We warmly welcome locals and visitors alike to explore, shop, and inquire—just 5 miles up from Nevada City!”
The renovated Hwy 20 location, situated at 18848 Highway 20, is just 5 miles from Nevada City and across the road from the newly opened 5-Mile House restaurant, offers clients modern facilities in a familiar setting, reinforcing Recreation Realty’s commitment to local, personalized service while fostering a connected community experience. The unique blend of these businesses in one easy access location makes it a convenient destination for both residents and visitors to Nevada County.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact:
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