Fundraiser for memorial signs to honor fallen Lake Tahoe firefighter

A stretch of Highway 50 over Echo Summit has been renamed the Firefighter Michael "Mikey" Hallenbeck Memorial Highway, and his family is raising funds to produce and install the signs.

Hallenbeck died fighting the Sierra Fire in August of 2015, near where he worked as a ski life operator. The 21-year-old was also a wildland firefighter for the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.

Introduced by Senator Ted Gaines in 2016, the California State Senate and Assembly passed the resolution to rename the highway from Mount Ralston Road to Echo Summit in honor of Hallenbeck. The dedication of the highway serves to commemorate Mikey’s service and ultimate sacrifice while safeguarding the public land surrounding Lake Tahoe.

"Mikey is what Sierra is all about," said Sierra-at-Tahoe General Manager John Rice at a candlelight vigil after Hallenbeck's death. "Work hard, play hard, and respect each other. He was a buoy and not an anchor. Mikey always had a big smile and reached out with a positive energy."

At the time of his tragic death, the young firefighter was living in South Lake Tahoe. He grew up in Shingle Springs, Calif. An emotional honor cordon was held in Hallenbeck's honor from South Lake Tahoe to Rescue, Calif., his final resting place.

The Hallenbeck family hopes to raise $9,000 towards the highway memorial signs. To contribute to the production and installation of the signs, Tahoe Fund is collecting donations for the family. As Tahoe Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit incorporated in California and registered in Nevada, all donations are tax deductible. To donate, please go to www.tahoefund.org. After choosing “Donate Now”, select “I would like to make a donation to a project” in the drop down list, then select “Mikey Hallenbeck Memorial”.

“This Memorial honors Mikey’s ultimate sacrifice defending the communities around Lake Tahoe Basin and surrounding areas,” said Toni Hallenbeck, Mikey’s mother. “We are saddened his life ended so soon however so proud he chose to serve in protecting the land he enjoyed so much.”

- South Tahoe Now staff report