New Firefighting Engines Enhance Capabilities in Nevada’s Rural Areas
Winnemucca, Nev. — In a strategic move to strengthen firefighting resources, the United States Wildland Fire Service (USWFS) has provided two wildland fire engines to local volunteer fire departments in Nevada. On April 17, 2026, Grass Valley Volunteer Fire Department in Pershing County received a Type 3 engine, while McDermitt Volunteer Fire Department in Humboldt County acquired a Type 4 engine. The official handover took place at the main Interior Office in Winnemucca.
Donovan Walker and Chad Holbert, Fire Management Officers (FMO) from the Winnemucca and Battle Mountain Units respectively, played a pivotal role in facilitating this transfer. Their efforts aim to significantly enhance the firefighting capabilities of these volunteer departments. Present at the handover were the VFD Chiefs, who received the engine keys, along with truck radios and an assortment of essential firefighting tools and equipment.
The event also saw the presence of Brock Uhlig, the USWFS Great Basin Assistant Chief-Fire Operations for Nevada, who participated in the transfer ceremony. “Sometimes the first resources on public land wildfires are our cooperating rural/volunteer fire departments. This equipment will also increase their capacity to respond to county and private land wildfires,” stated USWFS Battle Mountain FMO, Chad Holbert.
Additionally, Humboldt County Emergency Manager Carol Lynn and Winnemucca District BLM Deputy District Manager Bradlee Matthews attended the event, underscoring the collaborative efforts to bolster firefighting resources in the region.
For further details, interested parties can reach out to DOI Public Affairs Specialist, Heather O’Hanlon, via email at [email protected].
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