Participants in the annual Wildfire Awareness Multi-hour Trail Event in Washoe County raised more than $4,000 for the Wildland Firefighter Foundation. The race, hosted by University of Nevada Cooperative Extension's Living With Fire Program, in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management and Desert Sky Adventures, was part of Nevada Wildfire Awareness Month.

"We deal with such sorrow, with firefighters burned and disfigured, and some who don't come home to their families," Vicki Minor, executive director for the foundation, said. "Teaching people how to prepare their homes and prevent firefighters from risking their lives is important." 

The Wildland Firefighter Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides assistance to fallen firefighters' families and to firefighters injured in the line of duty. The proceeds of the race will help families travel to see firefighters who were injured while aiding another state; help the families of firefighters unable to work because they're still healing; and help the families of firefighters killed while working.

The event was at Bartley Ranch Regional Park in Reno and had a variety of fire engines and displays of educational information, along with a visit from Smokey Bear. The public had a chance to cheer on the runners, visit with firefighter representatives, and enjoy Nevada's outdoor beauty.

"We are thankful to the Bureau of Land Management as the major sponsor for the event and to all those runners who participated," Cooperative Extension Marketing Specialist Sonya Sistare said, who co-manages the Living With Fire Program with Natural Resources Specialist Ed Smith. "Not only did we raise funds for the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, but participants also had the opportunity to visit with local fire agencies and learn how to prepare for the next wildfire."

Nevada Wildfire Awareness Month activities are a collaborative effort by local, state and federal firefighting agencies; University of Nevada Cooperative Extension; and many others. This year's message was "Wildfire! Prepare. Anticipate. Evacuate." to encourage residents of Nevada's wildfire-prone communities to prepare their homes and families for wildfire, anticipate environmental conditions and take precautions on Red Flag Warning days, and evacuate quickly when asked by emergency responders.

Cooperative Extension's Living With Fire Program, which began in 1998, teaches homeowners how to live more safely with the wildfire threat. The program has received numerous national awards, and been credited with spurring actions that have saved many homes. For more information about Living With Fire, visit the Living With Fire website, or contact Sistare at University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, sistares@unce.unr.edu or 775-887-2252.