Senator Rosen Calls On Biden Administration To Reserve Federal Funds and Resources for Davis Fire

In a letter to President Joe Biden (see below), Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) has asked the president to “stand ready” and reserve federal funds and resources for the Davis fire in Washoe Valley and South Reno, Nevada. The administration has already approved Nevada’s request or a FEMA Fire Management Assistance Grant that will support a “variety of firefighting activities and equipment.”

Senator Rosen notes:

Nevada is already reeling from 665 fires that have burned over 74,100 acres across our state this year alone. Unfortunately like many fires, the Davis Fire that began over the weekend has been fueled by heavy winds and perpetual drought conditions. In just three days, the Davis Fire has burned over 5,000 acres, threatened 15,000 homes, caused hundreds of evacuations, left thousands without power, and already destroyed more than a dozen structures. Northern Nevada has a strong community and incredibly brave individuals fighting this fire, who are working tirelessly around the clock to keep their neighbors safe. Even with these efforts, the fire is currently zero percent contained and additional federal resources may be necessary.

Congress has done its part over the last few years to ensure resources are available to prevent, fight, mitigate, and eventually recover from wildfires, but there is still more that can be done with the allocated funds. In Fiscal Year 2024 alone, Congress appropriated over $4 billion for wildfire suppression and management at the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which I was proud to help draft and get signed into law, included $5 billion for wildland fire mitigation and management over five years for the U.S. Forest Service and DOI. We’ve seen this funding already go to important initiatives, including fuels reduction and fire mitigation practices, in addition to new technologies that can improve wildfire detection and response time. As Nevada residents face this latest wave of wildfires, I urge your Administration to continue to allocate these funds in a way where communities like those in Northern Nevada, who need them most, can access and utilize them for critical wildfire management and recovery activities.

In closing, Senator Rosen reminds the administration that wildfire is a constant threat: “The reality of the situation is that there’s no longer just a fire season in Nevada, but instead, a constant threat. As these fires continue to be more unpredictable and cause even greater damage, we have a duty to step up and stay ready to provide support to states and localities at a moment’s notice.”

Residents can find the latest updates on the Davis fire provided by the USDA Forest Service here.

Due to high winds, the area is under a Red Flag warning until 8pm Wednesday evening.

For the most up to date evacuation maps, check the Perimeter website. Washoe County asks that if you are ordered to be evacuated, do so immediately.

Washoe County and Red Cross of Nevada have teamed up to provide food, beverages and overnight shelter for displaced people and small pets at their evacuation center located at Washoe County Senior Services. The center’s address is 1155 East 9th Street in Reno.

Large animal/livestock evacuation centers are available at the UNR Equestrian Center, at 1290 Valley Road in Reno and Fuji Park at 601 Old Clear Creek Road in Carson City.

If you would like to make non-perishable donations to first responders, you may drop off items at any local fire station. Fire officials have requested non-perishable items as these items will be transferred to the crews working on the front lines. Non-perishable items include: water, gatorade, protein bars, beef sticks or jerky, and, according to a local Reno fire chief, fire fighters love candy (just make sure it won’t melt).