Truckee Meadows Fire Provides Additional Details About Defensible Space Waste Collection

Truckee Meadows Fire Provides Information to Commonly Asked Questions

Reno, Nevada. Oct. 25, 2017. Truckee Meadows Fire is encouraged by the community's response to its Defensible Space Waste Collection Program, and would like to share additional information for residents. The following are answers to commonly asked questions.

Will burning be allowed in the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District this fall?

No. Conditions are not wet enough to permit opening burning this fall. The issue is compounded by abundant fuels. Often times when the weather is ideal to allow burning, air quality conditions are not. TMFPD is exploring options that are environmentally friendly and safe for the community, beginning with two green waste collection dates this fall as alternatives to burning.

What will TMFPD do with the waste that is collected?

The District recently purchased a chipper, and much of the woody vegetation will be chipped. We are currently in the process of obtaining a permit from the Washoe County Health District to operate a high efficiency wood incinerator known as a burn box. The burn box essentially incinerates vegetative debris that is too large to chip without the pollution or wildfire risks associated with open burning. 

Will TMFPD add locations to the program?

Our fall pilot project is a way for us to measure the success of the program, receive feedback from the community and identify where best to plan our resources to support the community’s efforts in maintaining defensible space. We are piloting our efforts at the four fire stations that have a layout conducive to the logistical issues that must be considered with a project of this scope. The locations must be staffed to ensure trash and garbage is not dumped there. Leaving unattended dumpsters is not an option for this reason. Once we are able to quantify the success of the pilot effort, we will use that information to justify budget needs and possibly seek grants that may help offset costs to run the program. Our goal is to build a robust fuels management program that provides a variety of safe options for our residents to dispose of their defensible space waste, regardless of weather conditions.

Will you accept bagged leaves and pine needles?

Yes, our staff and volunteers will empty the bags as they are received to ensure only green waste is collected. Examples of items that cannot be accepted include food, household garbage, construction materials, e-waste, appliances, tires, paint, furniture, batteries or any hazardous materials.

I don’t have a way to transport my green waste to the collection site.

Please contact us at info@tmfpd.us and let us know the details of what you need disposed of, the amount or size of your pile, and where you are located. We will review each request to determine if our staff or volunteers can assist with the resources currently available. As we identify needs in our community, we will utilize that information to shape future program planning.

We welcome your suggestions and input as we work to develop options that safely support your defensible space efforts.

What: TMFPD Defensible Space Waste Collection Program

When: Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, and Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: 

Lemmon Valley Station 223, 130 Nectar St

Silver Lake Station 221, 11525 Red Rock Rd  

Hidden Valley Station 37, 3255 W Hidden Valley Dr

East Washoe Valley Station 16, 1240 East Lake Blvd

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