Participants in the annual the Battle Born Trail Series: Fire Up for Firefighters Multi-Hour Event in Washoe County raised $5,823.40 for the Nevada Local Assistance State Team Program, also known as Nevada LAST. The run, 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.

Nevada LAST, the Nevada division of the federal LAST Program, is a collaborative effort among local, state and federal firefighting entities. The proceeds of the run will help their efforts to support families' needs during times of loss or recovery of injured or fallen firefighters.

"Unfortunately, Nevada has experienced firefighter fatalities," said Shawn McEvers, division chief of training and administration for the Sparks Fire Department and chairman of the Nevada LAST Team. "With all the agencies involved and promoting Wildfire Awareness Month, having this event is a win-win for everybody involved. It was impressive to see the turnout from participants, to families and kids."

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," Living With Fire Program Senior Manager Sonya Sistare said. "Not only did we raise funds for Nevada LAST, 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; Cooperative Extension; and many others. This year's theme was "Prepare Now! Wildfire Knows No Season" to encourage Nevada communities to prepare their homes and families for wildfire throughout the year.

Cooperative Extension's Living With Fire Program, which began in 1997, 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 Jamie Roice-Gomes at University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, roicej@unce.unr.edu or 775-336-0261.