Smoke, Mirrors & Hors d’Oeuvres: The HOA Fire “Summit” With No Spark
When more than 15 homeowners associations band together to tackle wildfire emergency preparedness, you’d hope for something concrete—like a real agenda, names of the speakers, an expert or two, or literally any plan beyond vague “potential topics.” But instead, we get what appears to be a thinly veiled PR stunt, held at the ultra-exclusive Club at ArrowCreek (because nothing screams “urgent fire response” like catered nibbles with a mountain view and security so those pesky people they don’t want to attend, can’t).
Billed as a “Communication & Collaboration Meeting,” this gathering was apparently inspired by the Davis Fire in Washoe County and the disaster in neighboring California in 2024. But let’s be honest—communication and collaboration might be the last things happening here. Organized by a lobbyist whose is not lobbying these day, instead appearing in heating commercials, the event reads less like a crisis response summit and more like an awkward HOA mixer with delusions of grandeur.
The invitation touts “attendees from government & industry,” but don’t expect name tags with titles. Federal, state, county offices have been confirmed—but no names are being given, a vague reference to “confirmed” of “TBD” from “an agency.” That’s like RSVPing to a wedding and being told, “There will definitely be some people. Probably wearing suits.”
And the pièce de résistance? There is no official agenda, just “potential topics.” Not even tentative bullet points. One would think, if you’re inviting U.S. Senators, state senators and representatives, county commissioners,—and yes, the governor—you’d at least staple together a draft talking points list. Otherwise, what exactly are we doing here? Swapping fire pit recommendations and HOA bylaws over Chardonnay?
Even Washoe County staff, in an email obtained through a back door, have openly questioned the point of attending and how “productive” the meeting will be. When the very people you’re trying to involve are side-eyeing your invite, maybe it’s time to ask: What’s the real agenda here? A photo op? A chance to name-drop? Or just an excuse for a mid-week clubhouse croissant?
The point of this gathering is to enhance and open communication channels, how can one do that without any real clarity and attendees are only able to look forward to potential topics.
To enhance and open communication channels is why this meeting is being held with fifteen “potential topics” the attendees will be there until midnight and never go back - although the lobbyist is touting another meeting on July 1st.
If you read all the way to the bottom of the agenda you finally understand why the meeting is being held, these exclusive communities HOA’s are looking for “Federal, State, and Washoe County Funding” - so all you flatlanders your homes can burn but these exclusive enclaves want extra federal, state, and county funding. The state is having a budget issue, the county has a $27 million budget deficit, Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District seems to be looking at funding limitations, and yet, a whole lot of rich people want to find a way to get more money to protect themselves from disaster. Now we understand how they got this lobbyist, pie in the sky expectations with no one up there living in the real world.
And let’s not ignore the optics: real fire emergencies are happening. Real coordination is needed. But this? This feels more like smoke and mirrors—minus the fire extinguisher.