by Nevada – U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nevada, has secured $2.3 million in federal funding to strengthen wildfire prevention efforts across the state.
The funding, announced last week, comes from the National Science Foundation, an independent federal agency that supports science and engineering initiatives nationwide. According to Rosen’s office, the money will be directed to the Nevada System of Higher Education and the Desert Research Institute to support wildfire prevention research and community planning.
Rosen said the investment will help Nevada communities “continue to confront the risks and dangers associated with wildfires” while improving readiness and response capabilities. She noted the research will also focus on how wildfires spread across Nevada’s unique urban landscape.
“I’ll keep working in Washington to make sure Nevada has the resources and tools it needs to fight wildfires and protect our state,” Rosen said in a press release.
Wildfires Currently Burning in Nevada
The funding announcement comes as Nevada continues to battle three active wildfires, according to Inciweb, a federal website that tracks fires nationwide.
- Cottonwood Peak Fire (Northern Nevada): 132,604 acres burned; 81% contained. Lightning sparked the fire on Aug. 15. More than 200 personnel remain on site.
- Gothic Fire (Southern Nevada): 35,161 acres burned; 95% contained.
- Cat Canyon Fire (Southern Nevada): 16,044 acres burned; 70% contained.
Long-Term Impact of Wildfires
Wildfires have long been a major challenge for Nevada. A 2025 study by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, found that nearly 20% of the state’s land area has burned since 1984—the fifth-highest percentage of any state.
The study highlighted Elko (41%), Humboldt (39%), and Eureka (28%) counties as the most severely affected by wildfires over the past four decades.
With federal funding now flowing into research and prevention, Rosen and Nevada officials hope to mitigate future risks while safeguarding communities across the state.
