Wells Conservation Camp

Facility Facts

Opened in 1985 with the ability to house 152 inmates. Currently the Nevada Division of Forestry has 7 crew supervisor positions with the ability to employ 84 inmates in conservation related projects and in emergency response activities.

Project Work:

Over the past three years, Wells Camp has averaged 104,478 hours working on projects both paid and community based each year. Over the last three years, Wells Camp has brought in $611,582 in project revenue and helped with the following work:

Nevada Department of Transportation: fence building, litter clean-up, repairing guard rails, cleaning culverts, fuels reduction, and general maintenance of facilities
Community work for: Wells, Elko, Independence Valley, and West Wendover
Nevada Department of Wildlife (building elk fence)
Non-profit organizations such as: volunteer fire departments, senior centers (snow removal and fire wood collection), community centers, and cemeteries
Fire rehabilitation efforts on local fires including seeding, soil stabilization, and damaged fence repair
Landowner assistance with fence repair and fuels reduction though the help of the fire protection and resource management officers with NDF

Emergency Response

Over the past three years, the Wells Camp has averaged 44,755 hours working on emergency incidents each year. All incidents not in NDF jurisdiction bring in revenue for the general fund. Emergency responses include wildland fire, search and rescue, ice and snow removal when there is threat to life and/or property and flood control. Over the past few years we have been requested to assist California in wildland fire control when their resources are stretched thin. The Wells Camps location in the northwest requires them to play a pivotal role in initial attack of fires due to there quick response time. Currently Elko County is NDF jurisdiction for fire protection.