2026 Fire Adapted Nevada Summit

Photo of people working at table in a large conference room with text on image that reads fire adapted summit february 23-24, 2025

Join community leaders and wildfire partners from across Nevada and beyond for the 2026 Fire Adapted Nevada Summit, a two-day event dedicated to advancing wildfire resilience through collaboration, innovation, and action.

What can I expect from the Fire Adapted Nevada Summit agenda?

Get ready for a dynamic Summit featuring expert speakers, engaging discussions, hands-on workshops, and valuable networking opportunities. More details will be shared soon—stay tuned!

Registration is Closed

About the Summit

 


Made possible with funding from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) – Nevada with additional support from the Nevada Division of Forestry and U.S. Forest Service and the University of Nevada, Reno Extension.

 

LWF & Extension Horizontal (RGB)   BLM logo       Logo for the Nevada Division of Forestry         USFS Logo    

8:00 am - 9:00 am

Check-in and Breakfast

9:00 am - 9:15 am

Welcome & Opening Remarks

9:15 am - 10:00 am

Keynote Speaker: Catrin Edgeley

From Checklists to Culture Change: Leveraging Community Identity to Become Fire Adapted A keynote exploring how community identity, values, and social norms influence wildfire preparedness, moving beyond tasks and checklists toward lasting culture change. Followed by an interactive activity.

Catrin Edgeley Catrin Edgeley
9:45 am - 10:15 am

Post-Kaynote Activity

10:00 am - 10:15 am

Wildfire Preparedness Day Winners

Community representatives share lessons learned and on the ground successes from wildfire preparedness projects supported by Wildfire Preparedness Day funding: • Mogul Firewise – Reno, Nevada • Alpine View Estates – Carson City • Evans Creek Estates – Reno, Nevada

10:15 am - 11:00 am

Break

11:00 am - 11:30 am

Stronger Together Presentations & Discussions | Part One: Grassroots Efforts

A series of community spotlights demonstrating how neighborhoods are organizing, building partnerships, and taking action to reduce wildfire risk, including: • Silver Knolls – Community organizing and data collection • Eureka Firewise – Nevada’s first Firewise community • Galena Forest – Using social media to strengthen community connection Includes a guided reflection on how these strategies could be applied locally.

11:45 am - 12:00 pm

Neighborhood Ambassador Recognition Ceremony

A recognition ceremony honoring Neighborhood Ambassadors and community leaders for their meaningful contributions to wildfire preparedness.

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Lunch

Enjoy a hosted lunch with opportunities for networking and informal conversation. Lunch generously provided by the SOC Foundation.

1:00 pm - 1:30 pm

Meet Fire Adapted Nevada Partners

An interactive panel introducing Fire Adapted Nevada partner organizations and how they support communities through coordination, technical assistance, and collaboration. Panelists include: • Kelsey Griffee, U.S. Fire Service • Kelli Nevills, Nevada Division of Forestry • Gwen Sanchez, U.S. Forest Service, Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest • Megan Kay, University of Nevada, Reno Extension – Living With Fire Program • Kelli Baratti, Nevada Association of Fire Chiefs

1:30 pm - 1:35 pm

Movement Break with Kelli Nevills

1:35 pm - 2:05 pm

Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs): Updates & Engagement

An overview of current CWPP efforts and practical ways community members, organizations, and local leaders can engage in shaping wildfire priorities.

2:05 pm - 3:00 pm

Stronger Together presentations & Discussions | Part Two: The Community + Partners

Case studies highlighting collaboration between communities, Tribes, counties, and agencies, including: • Washoe County Emergency Management - Defensible Space Pilot Project • Humboldt County Emergency Management - Defensible Space Pilot Project • Washoe Tribe – Interagency coordination Discussion emphasizes two way collaboration: how communities can work with agencies, and how agencies can better support communities.

3:00 pm - 3:15 pm

Break

3:15 pm - 4:30 pm

Breakout Discussions

Facilitated small group discussions focused on practical challenges and solutions.

4:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Breakout Session Report-out

Groups reconvene to share key insights, ideas, and strategies that emerged from the discussions.

Day 1 Wrap Up

A closing reflection highlighting themes from the day and setting intentions for Day 2.

8:00 am - 8:45 am

Breakfast

8:45 am - 9:00 am

Welcome & Opening Remarks

9:00 am - 9:30 am

Speaker: Michelle Steinberg

Protecting People and Property: Preventing Wildfire Disasters by Preventing Home Ignition

Michele Steinberg Michele Steinberg
9:30 am - 9:45 am

Post-Keynote Activity

9:45 am - 10:00 am

Spotlight LWF Contractors Trainings

An overview of workforce and contractor training efforts that build local capacity for defensible space and home hardening.

10:00 am - 10:30 am

Fire Smart Community Pilot Project Presentation & Discussion

Featuring Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund A detailed look at a community scale wildfire mitigation pilot, including funding models, partnerships, and implementation lessons. Includes a facilitated reflection on what elements could be replicated in other communities.

Amy Berry Amy Berry
10:30 am - 10:45 am

Post Fire Smart Spark Activity

10:45 am - 11:00 am

Break

11:00 am - 12:30 pm

Insurance Panel & Q&A

A moderated panel discussion featuring: • Ned Gaines, Nevada Division of Insurance Commissioner • JulieAnna Anastassatos, Verisk • Kevin Musico, Goosehead Insurance • Mike Brown, Retired Fire Chief, North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District • Michele Steinberg, NFPA Topics include insurance challenges in wildfire prone areas, the role of mitigation in maintaining insurability, and practical steps for communities and homeowners.

12:30 am - 1:00 pm

Closing Activity

A participatory closing session that summarizes key themes, invites attendees to share takeaways, and encourages next steps and continued collaboration.

  • Date : February 23, 2026 - February 24, 2026
  • Time : 8:00 am - 5:00 pm (America/Los_Angeles)
  • Venue : Joe Crowley Student Union

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