Nine years since Angora Fire: AlertTahoe cameras try to avoid another disaster

Nine years after the devastating Angora Fire in South Lake Tahoe, the AlertTahoe system of cameras around the Lake Tahoe basin is helping to prevent another such disaster.

June 6, 2016: The Sagehen Fire, north of Truckee, broke out and was quickly extinguished by the USFS, Northstar and Truckee Fire Departments.

June 9, 2016: The Truckee Meadows Fire Department quickly put out the Patrick Fire off Interstate 80, near Reno.

Both of these fires were spotted on AlertTahoe cameras, allowing those watching them to alert authorities and prevent fires such as Angora which destroyed 242 homes and burned 3,100 acres after it was started as the result of an illegal campfire on June 24, 2007. It cost $11.7 million to fight that fire.

The AlertTahoe networked system of cameras allows for live and time-lapsed views of the ridge lines and forest in and around the Lake Tahoe, Truckee and Reno region. These cameras can detect wildfires in the very early stages, including seeing flames at night allowing fire crews to respond quickly and put out the fires before they get out of control. Due to the high winds the Tahoe region is currently experiencing, these recent fires could have easily threatened homes and local businesses. A recently installed camera at Sierra-at-Tahoe will have views of the South Lake Tahoe area where the Angora Fire devastated the community.

The Tahoe Prosperity Center (TPC) and the University of Nevada Reno Seismological Laboratory are working together to finish installing this complete network of cameras. A devastating wildfire not only damages the environment, but has significant impacts to the community and economy as well. TPC and UNR recognize that these fire prevention cameras provide the best defense to fire danger and help ensure our communities are protected.

Each camera costs about $30,000 including the camera, tower, equipment, installation and connections to the network. TPC is currently finishing phase one of fundraising for cameras at Zephyr Cove, Alpine Meadows, Bald Mountain (that views the range front near Gardnerville, Nev.) and Martis Peak. Currently, the priority camera site to be installed is at Martis Peak, which will have views into the Truckee and North Tahoe region.

The Nevada Seismological Laboratory is currently working with forest authorities to ensure the fastest possible installation. Other priority sites this summer for fundraising (phase 2) include: Slide Mountain (near Mt. Rose Ski Area) as well as Fallen Leaf Lake and Emerald Bay on the South and West shores of Lake Tahoe. TPC is coordinating all fundraising efforts to install these critical cameras.

“The entire cost of the Alert Tahoe system is $2 million or 1.25% of the cost of the Angora fire," said South Tahoe High graduate Dr. Graham Kent, Director of the Nevada Seismological Laboratory. "Rapid detection and response to wildfires are the best option to protect our community, environment, and economy.”

“In addition to the fires noted above, twelve other fires were caught by these cameras last summer," said Heidi Hill Drum, executive director of the Tahoe Prosperity Center. "We couldn’t do this work without the help of our local fire agencies, but we know that these cameras give them a great advantage they wouldn’t have otherwise. A similar program is currently underway through BLM support in north-central Nevada with similar successes last fire season."