The United States Army
04/30/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 04/30/2026 11:54
Nevada Guard builds wildfire response readiness
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption - U.S. Army Soldiers in the Nevada Army National Guard conduct a line construction exercise at the Nevada Division of Forestry's western area headquarters in Washoe Valley, Nevada, Apr. 23, 2026. The Nevada Army National Guard and Nevada Division of Forestry conducted annual joint training to certify Soldiers as Type 2 wildland firefighters, strengthening the state's wildfire response capability through hands-on instruction and continued interagency partnership. (Photo Credit: Sgt. Adrianne Lopez) VIEW ORIGINAL 2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption - U.S. Army Soldiers in the Nevada Army National Guard conduct a line construction exercise at the Nevada Division of Forestry's western area headquarters in Washoe Valley, Nevada, Apr. 23, 2026. The Nevada Army National Guard and Nevada Division of Forestry conducted annual joint training to certify Soldiers as Type 2 wildland firefighters, strengthening the state's wildfire response capability through hands-on instruction and continued interagency partnership. (Photo Credit: Sgt. Adrianne Lopez) VIEW ORIGINAL 3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption - U.S. Army Spc. Danial Barajas, C Company, 422nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion, tries on his gear at the Nevada Division of Forestry's western area headquarters in Washoe Valley, Nevada, Apr. 23, 2026. The Nevada Army National Guard and Nevada Division of Forestry conducted annual joint training to certify Soldiers as Type 2 wildland firefighters, strengthening the state's wildfire response capability through hands-on instruction and continued interagency partnership. (Photo Credit: Sgt. Adrianne Lopez) VIEW ORIGINAL
CARSON CITY, Nev. - As wildfire season nears, the Nevada National Guard stands ready with freshly trained crews and aircraft following intensive April training and certification efforts.
Approximately 40 Nevada Army National Guard Soldiers from northern and southern Nevada completed annual wildland firefighting training in partnership with the Nevada Division of Forestry, earning Type 2 wildland firefighter certification and strengthening the state's ground response capability.
U.S. Army Soldiers in the Nevada Army National Guard get ready to conduct a line construction exercise at the Nevada Division of Forestry's western area headquarters in Washoe Valley, Nevada, Apr. 23, 2026. The Nevada Army National Guard and Nevada Division of Forestry conducted annual joint training to certify Soldiers as Type 2 wildland firefighters, strengthening the state's wildfire response capability through hands-on instruction and continued interagency partnership. (Photo Credit: Sgt. Adrianne Lopez) VIEW ORIGINAL
The training, now in its fifth year, provided hands-on experience in essential firefighting tasks and reinforced the Guard's role in supporting civil authorities during emergency operations.
During the training, Soldiers practiced key firefighting tasks, including digging fire lines, deploying fire shelters, handling ignition tools and using hand tools safely. The instruction also covered factors such as fire behavior, topography, fuels and weather to prepare them for wildfire situations.
Sgt. Skylar Lujan, a returning participant, said the experience broadened his understanding of the Guard's community support role and brought him a sense of pride and purpose.
U.S. Army Spc. Samuel Mendoza, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 422nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion, tries on his gear at the Nevada Division of Forestry's western area headquarters in Washoe Valley, Nevada, Apr. 23, 2026. The Nevada Army National Guard and Nevada Division of Forestry conducted annual joint training to certify Soldiers as Type 2 wildland firefighters, strengthening the state's wildfire response capability through hands-on instruction and continued interagency partnership. (Photo Credit: Sgt. Adrianne Lopez) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Having this opportunity really widens my perspective and gives me pride," Lujan said. "I'm working for the community, so it's a win-win."
The training was conducted in partnership with the Nevada Division of Forestry, which provided instruction and certification support for Guard members preparing to assist with wildfire response.
U.S. Army Soldiers in the Nevada Army National Guard get ready to conduct a line construction exercise at the Nevada Division of Forestry's western area headquarters in Washoe Valley, Nevada, Apr. 23, 2026. The Nevada Army National Guard and Nevada Division of Forestry conducted annual joint training to certify Soldiers as Type 2 wildland firefighters, strengthening the state's wildfire response capability through hands-on instruction and continued interagency partnership. (Photo Credit: Sgt. Adrianne Lopez) VIEW ORIGINAL
The Nevada Army National Guard also completed aerial firefighting training with UH-60 Black Hawk crews, ensuring aviation assets are ready to support state wildfire suppression missions when called upon.
Together, the ground and aviation training efforts enhance the Nevada National Guard's ability to respond quickly and effectively during wildfire season, providing additional capability to state and local agencies when resources are stretched.
The Nevada National Guard has supported wildfire response operations across the state in previous years and remains ready to assist civil authorities when requested.
Related Links
The Official Website of the National Guard | NationalGuard.mil
State Partnership Program | NationalGuard.mil
The National Guard on Facebook | Facebook.com/TheNationalGuard
The National Guard on Flickr | Flickr.com/TheNationalGuard
The National Guard on Instagram | Instagram.com/us.nationalguard
The National Guard on X | X.com/USNationalGuard
The National Guard on YouTube | YouTube.com/TheNationalGuard
The United States Army published this content on April 30, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 30, 2026 at 17:54 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]