Storey County Wraps Up Successful Wildfire Evacuation Drill in Highlands

Storey County officials say a full-scale wildfire evacuation drill held on Saturday, June 14, was largely successful, with dozens of households taking part and first responders from across the region participating.

Roughly 48 households in the Virginia City Highlands evacuated their homes as part of the exercise, which tested the County’s emergency response systems and interagency coordination in the event of a real wildfire. The drill was organized by Storey County Emergency Management and included support from local, state, and regional partners.

Participating agencies included the Storey County Fire Protection District and its volunteer division, Storey County Sheriff’s Office, Public Works, Jeep Posse Search & Rescue, Health & Community Services, County Manager’s Office, and Emergency Management team. Also on scene were the Nevada Division of Emergency Management, North Tahoe Fire, Truckee Meadows Fire District, Nevada Department of Transportation, Bureau of Land Management, NV Energy, and Living With Fire.

“This was a strong showing from both the community and our emergency partners,” said Adam Wilson, Storey County’s Emergency Management Director. “We had strong cooperation, positive communication, and rapid response times. These drills help us spot any weak points so we can keep improving.”

Residents were notified of the drill in advance and received instructions to evacuate by 8 a.m. Checkpoints were set up, and traffic was routed safely out of the area, simulating conditions that might occur during an actual wildfire emergency.

Fire Chief Jeremy Loncar said the exercise highlighted the importance of cross-agency planning and real-time coordination.

“When we train together like this, we respond better together,” Loncar said. “This kind of proactive work helps keep people safe and gives us a clearer picture of what’s needed when seconds count.”

County officials say a public Town Hall will be held at the end of July to go over key takeaways from the exercise, including what worked well and what changes may be needed in future plans.

“This kind of preparation can save lives,” Wilson said. “We appreciate everyone who participated and look forward to building on what we’ve learned.”

The Town Hall date and location will be announced in the coming weeks on the County’s website and social media channels.