Photo of Christina Restaino, Extension

Christina Restaino

Assistant Professor, State Specialist

Summary

Christina is an Assistant Professor and Natural Resources Specialist, serving the state of Nevada, Great Basin, and Sierra Nevada regions. Her emphasis is on wildland fire science, forestry, and natural resource management. She is also the Director of the Living With Fire Program. Christina’s background is in applied forest and fire ecology. Her research has looked at the intersection of land management and forest resilience to fire, drought, and climate change. She has worked extensively in science outreach and communication, translating ecological principles to resource management and forest and fire policy. Christina’s work has spanned the western United States and has focused more recently in the Sierra Nevada region of California and Nevada. 

Education

B.S. University of California, Berkeley, 2006
M.S. University of Washington, 2010
Ph.D. University of Washington, 2014

Programs

living with fire cb

Living With Fire

Helping Nevadans and visitors prepare for wildfire

News & Journal Articles, Fact Sheets, Reports...

Brochures
A flame from embers igniting a wood shake roof
Be Ember Aware
During a wildfire, thousands of embers can rain down on your roof and pelt the side of your home like hail during a storm. Embers coming into contact with flammable material is the major reason why homes burn from wildfires.By being ember aware and taking action ahead of time, a homeowner can reduce the ember threat.
Smith, Ed, Sistare, Sonya 2009, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno FS-09-05
Fact Sheets
Drought and Fire in Nevada: Is fire risk higher during drought?
This short factsheet describes the relationship between fire and drought in Nevada. It contradicts the common misperception that drought always leads to more fire and provides detailed information about how drought relates to fire in different kinds of ecosystems.
Davis, A., McAfee, S., Restaino, C., Ormerod, K.J. 2022, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno Factsheet
A close-up photo of a young person's hand planting a tree seedling in the forest.
2021 Little Vally Fire Restoration Update
The University of Nevada, Reno, U.S. Forest Service, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and the Nevada Division of Forestry have worked together to rehabilitate the landscape after the Little Valley Fire. What have they accomplished?
Kay, M., Restaino, C. 2021, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-113
nevada sunset
Climate Change Impacts in Nevada
Summarized in this fact sheet are specific details about how climate change has already and will continue to impact the state of Nevada and strategies that can be used to prepare for these changes.
McAfee, S., Restaino, C., Ormerod, K., Dettinger, M., McEvoy, D., Kalansky, J., Cayan, D., Lachniet, M., Moser, S., VanderMolen, K., Wall, T. 2021, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno FS-21-06
Impactos del Cambio Climático en Nevada
En este artículo, se resumen detalles específicos sobre cómo el cambio climático ya ha afectado y seguirá afectando al estado de Nevada y las estrategias que pueden utilizarse para prepararse para estos cambios.
McAfee, S., Restaino, C., Ormerrod, K., Dettinger, M., McEvoy, D., Kalansky, J., Cayan, D., Lachniet, M., Moser, S., VanderMolen, K., Wall, T. 2021, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno FS-21-06
undergrowth encroachment
Pinyon-Juniper Encroachment: Effects on Carbon and Nutrient Cycling
The encroachment of pinyon-juniper woodlands into sagebrush ecosystems alters nutrient cycling. This fact sheet details how encroachment affects nutrient availability and carbon sequestration.
Putz, T., Restaino, C. 2021, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-118
erosion
Pinyon-Juniper Encroachment: Effects on Hydrology
Pinyon-juniper encroachment of sagebrush ecosystems alters water processes. This fact sheet details how this change in hydrology occurs and describes the effects of increased water runoff and soil erosion.
Putz, T., Restaino, C. 2021, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-115
hand holding weeds
Pinyon-Juniper Encroachment: Effects on Invasive Species
This fact sheet provides information on the relationship between pinyon-juniper encroachment of sagebrush rangelands and invasive species, such as non-native annual grasses. Learn how encroachment and non-native grasses interact to influence ecosystem functioning and health.
Putz, T., Restaino, C. 2021, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-116
antelop
Pinyon-Juniper Encroachment: Effects on Sagebrush-Dependent Wildlife
Pinyon-juniper encroachment of sagebrush ecosystems impacts many wildlife species through loss of habitat. This fact sheet provides information on how decreasing food and cover with encroachment harms sagebrush-dependent wildlife.
Putz, T., Restaino, C. 2021, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-119
controlled burn
Pinyon-Juniper Encroachment: Effects on Wildfire
Wildfire behavior is altered with pinyon-juniper encroachment of sagebrush ecosystems. In this fact sheet learn how wildfire fuel amounts and structure change with encroachment and the impacts of this on the landscape.
Putz, T., Restaino, C. 2021, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-117
Screenshot of a map with an area highlighted in red.
CodeRED en el condado de Washoe
CodeRED es un sistema de notificaciones que envía mensajes de emergencia a personas ubicadas en regiones afectadas, como poblaciones o comunidades específicas.
Roice-Gomes, J., Adams, J., Kay, M., and Restaino, C. 2021, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-120
flood map of reno
CodeRED in Washoe County
If an emergency arises in Washoe County, public agencies utilize CodeRED to inform the public. Registering for CodeRED increases the likelihood that residents will receive these urgent notifications.
Roice-Gomes, J., Adams, J., Kay, M., Restaino, C. 2021, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-120
VIVIR CON HUMO: Como estar preparado en caso de exposición al humo de incendios
El humo de los incendios forestales es diferente dependiendo del tipo de combustible que se ha quemado (es decir, árboles, arbustos, edificios, etc.), la temperatura del incendio forestal y las condiciones del viento. En general, el humo de los incendios forestales se compone de dióxido de carbono, vapor de agua, monóx
Roice-Gomes, J., Kay, M., Schnieder, B., Restaino, C 2021, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, FS -21-114
Large plumes of dark smoke are rising from a wildfire in the distance, on the other side of a hill and sagebrush and grass cover the landscape in the foreground.
Living With Smoke: How to be prepared for smoke exposure
This fact sheet from the Living With Fire Program will help readers understand what is in wildfire smoke, why you should be concerned about wildfire smoke, and how to protect yourself from wildfire smoke.
Roice-Gomes, J., Kay, M., Schnieder, B., Restaino, C. 2021, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-114
Navigating Online Program Delivery With Zoom Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
This publication will explore how four faculty moved their programming online to meet both programmatic and clientele needs.
L. Chichester, S. Emm, H. Kratsch, C. Restaino 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-20-29
Understanding Homeowners’ Decisions to Mitigate Wildfire Risk and Create Defensible Space in Nevada
Wildland-urban interface communities across Nevada have programs in place to encourage homeowners to voluntarily undertake investments to reduce their wildfire threat and create defensible space on their properties. This study addresses two questions relevant to the design of these programs. 
Taylor, M., Restaino, C. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, FS-20-32
¡Cuidado con las brasas!
Durante un incendio forestal, pueden caer miles de brasas sobre su techo y acumularse al costado de su casa como granizo durante una tormenta. Si estas brasas se alojan en algo fácilmente inflamable, ya sea en alguna parte de su casa o cerca de ella, su casa estará en peligro de incendiarse. Las brasas que entran en co
Smith, Ed, Sistare, Sonya 2009, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno FS-23-18
Special Publications
Guía De Adaptación De Viviendas En Caso De Incendios Forestales: Cómo fortalecer las casas para resistir incendios forestales
Esta guía incluye recomendaciones específicas de cómo adaptar componentes existentes en una vivienda para poder resistir un incendi forestal. Cada sección contiene una explicación de cómo dicho componente es vulnerable a los incendios forestales y lo que se puede hacer para mejorar ese componente.
Restaino, C., Kocher, S., Shaw, N., Hawks, S., Murphy, C., Quarles, S. 2023, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, SP-23-02
Illustration of a house nestled in both sagebrush and forest ecosystems with circles drawn around it to signify defensible space zones.
Living With Fire Defensible Space Guide
Defensible Space is the buffer around a home where the vegetation has been managed to reduce the wildfire hazard. Creating defensible space increases the chance of home survival and provides a space for firefighters to safely defend the home during a wildfire event.
Roice-Gomes, J., Restaino, C., Kay, M. 2023, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, SP-23-07
Living With Fire Program Needs Assessment and Evaluation
The Living With Fire Program, a 25-year-old wildfire preparedness initiative, recently conducted a needs assessment and evaluation to adapt to evolving community dynamics. Key
Restaino, C. and Putz, T. 2022, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, SP-22-17
fire map of nevada
Nevada Flood After Fire Guide
The Nevada Flood After Fire Guide provides resources and guidance for Nevada residents on how to prepare for a flood after wildfire, how to stay safe during a flood, and what steps to take after the flood.
Restaino, C., Jarrett, E., Olsen, D., Simmons, E., Bardsley, T., Fichtner, S., Rendo, C., Woodward, J., Schembre, C., James, E., Putz, T. 2021, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno SP-21-14
Photo of houses surrounded by burned landscape with a view of Lake Tahoe in the distance
Wildfire Home Retrofit Guide
This Guide includes specific recommendations for how to retrofit existing components of a home to withstand wildfire.
Restaino, C., Kocher, S., Shaw, N., Hawks, S., Murphy, C., Quarles, S. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, SP-20-11