Logandale Fire Station 73 is inviting everyone to attend its 2nd Annual Community Open House and Barbecue Friday from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the fire station at 3570 N. Lyman St.

During the open house residents will be able to sit in emergency vehicles and get a close inspection of all firefighting equipment including a helicopter and other safety gear. Wildland firefighting equipment will be on display and attendees will have an opportunity to deploy a wildfire shelter.

A 2011 Polaris RZR, an iPod Touch from Operation Fire H.E.A.T. and iTunes gift cards from Maverick will be raffled off during the event

At 6:15 p.m. local firefighters will demonstrate vehicle extrication, a technique used to rescue individuals trapped in cars, trucks and other vehicles after an accident.

Agencies participating in the open house include the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), MedicWest Ambulance, Metro Police, Mesa View Home Care, Mercy Air and the Nevada Fire Safe Council. The Moapa Valley Rotary and the National Junior Honor Society will be assisting.

The Nevada Fire Safe Council and Station 73 are providing food, while Lin’s Market and Meadow Gold Dairy will make rootbeer floats. Mesa View Home Care will offer free blood pressure screenings.

Participants are asked to park in the dirt lot between the Logandale Volunteer Fire Department and the Clark County Fairground behind Grant M. Bowler Elementary School.

This year’s open house coincides with the Nevada Wildfire Awareness Week campaign, “Wildfire Survival – It Takes a Community.”

Though Moapa Valley rates low on the wild land fire hazard scale, wildfires are an important concern for local residents and local volunteer fire Stations, 72, 73 and 74 have already responded to numerous brush and grass fires this year.

Nevada Wildfire Awareness Week highlights the potential for wildfires during the spring and summer months when vegetation is driest.

“It’s important to remember we all have a role to play in reducing the threat of wildfires in our community,” said Clark County Fire Chief Bertral Washington. “Our hot, dry and often windy environment can provide a lot of fuel for wildland fires to spread and threaten homes and property both in the Las Vegas Valley and forest areas like Mount Charleston.”

To reduce the threat of wildfire, officials recommend:

• Clearing vegetation and debris from around your home to limit the potential amount of fire fuel;

• Properly soaking and disposing of cigarette butts, charcoal briquettes and similar materials that can start fires;

• Equipping all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and similar vehicles with spark arrestors, and

• Only using fireworks labeled with a “safe and sane” seal when fireworks are legal in Clark County, June 28 until July 4.

For more information about wildfire safety, visit Nevada’s multi-agency “Living With Fire” website at www.livingwithfire.info.