Local news briefs for May 31, 2000

Wednesday, May 31, 2000 | 11:06 a.m.

Summit to open in Reno

A two-day meeting opens in Reno today on Nevada's readiness to respond to wildland fires, which blackened more than 2 million acres in five counties last summer.

Gov. Kenny Guinn called for the summit to bring together representatives from firefighting, land use, insurance and agriculture. "I think it's crucial that we look forward and not wait for a disaster to impact our state before we take action," the governor said.

He said he wants the state and others to be in a position to respond to these wildland fires "as efficiently as possible if we have to."

The session is presented by the state Division of Emergency Management and the Nevada Association of Counties.

DRI establishes new award

The Desert Research Institute is establishing a $5,000 annual award to recognize excellence in science and technology by a Nevadan in honor of the Reno area inventor who has developed low-emission fuels based on petroleum and water mixtures.

The Rudolf W. Gunnerman Silver State Award will be presented for the first time this fall, an institute spokesman said.

Gunnerman, who first came to the United States from Germany in 1945, holds seven U.S. patents and more than 70 international patents in the area of energy-related sciences.