A dust devil moves through the burn area of the Winnemucca Ranch Fire north of Reno, picking up ash as it goes on Wednesday, July 5, 2017. Seen from Amy and Wilcox Ranch roads. Video by Ben Spillman/RGJ Ben Spillman/RGJ


According to US Forest Service records, in the years between 1992 and 2012 humans, not lightning, caused 84% of the fires that firefighters had to put out.              

Forest service records indicate people start fires by discarding cigarettes, leaving campfires unattended, dragging metal chains on pavement, and most importantly, losing control of prescribed burns.  

The Little Valley Fire in Washoe Valley started October 14, 2016 as a prescribed burn that got out of control and burned 2,291 acres of forest land and destroyed 23 homes and 17 outbuildings.

I believe the Forest Service does an excellent job of fighting wildfires and managing our forests. However, the Forest Service does not do enough to investigate arson-caused wildfires. It’s a subject no one seems to wants to talk about. 

Arson is basically defined as the willful or malicious burning of property including buildings with a criminal or other intent. Arsonist includes people who enjoy starting wildfires in remote locations, on windy days, after sunset, when it’s extremely difficult for fire crews to access and put out the wildfires. 

In California, six of the 20 most damaging wildfires were caused by arsonists. In Georgia an average of 700 arson fires destroy over 9,000 acres annually.  In Florida, arsonists caused between 60% and 80% of the state's wildfires.  

Locally, a wildfire In the Cold Springs area north of Reno has burned approximately 1,523 acres and left nearly 4,000 NV Energy customers without power.  According to the Bureau of Land Management, a wildfire near Pyramid Lake has grown to around 51,750 acres or 81 square miles, yet no cause of the fire has been given.    

I think the Forest Service and BLM must provide information on any wildfires in their jurisdictions that may involve arson. In recent years, there have been several wildfires in our area that have seriously damaged or destroyed people’s homes and all their possessions. When it's determined arson may be a factor, government officials must do a thorough investigation and have these people arrested and prosecuted in a court of law, and if found guilty, be given long-term prison sentences. 

Most people will not live long enough to see the destroyed forests around their property regrow to their original size. A forest fire set in the area of people’s homes could lower the value of their property for a lifetime.  

These are some of the reasons why arsonists deserve long-term prison sentences for starting a wildfire. A wildfire randomly set in one area may have a larger effect on property values in many other areas since people may not choose to purchase a home in a fire-prone area.

Jerry Purdy is a retired civil engineer and a Reno resident.


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