Firefighters recognized during Keith Urban concert at Lake Tahoe

STATELINE, Nev. - Keith Urban, Harveys Lake Tahoe, and Another Planet Entertainment recognized several firefighters this week who helped protect Lake Tahoe when the Caldor Fire bore down in 2021. Urban met with 25 service personnel from different agencies and their guests before his concert on Thursday, September 1.

"He was so gracious to invite firefighters who fought the Caldor Fire to be recognized at this concert," said South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue Captain Kim George on social media. "An amazing experience."

“It was a pleasure meeting him, he was very friendly and appreciative of each of our services, and he really took the time to speak to us all. We had a great time,” said Captain Patrick Hughes of Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District.

Also treated to the evening's celebration was volunteer firefighter Richard Gerety, who was burned during the Caldor Fire. He was above a dozer line about a mile south of Strawberry on Pack Saddle Pass, pumping water when the ground gave way. He fell into a deep stump hole that was filled with hot ash.

Gerety spent over one month in the hospital after receiving 2nd and 3rd-degree burns on about 20 percent of his body. South Lake Tahoe local Jerry Bond organized a Lake Tahoe weekend in February for the firefighter, got him connected to his favorite Nascar driver, and helped put the firefighter recognition event with Keith Urban together.

“On this day last year, this community was under evacuation because of the threat of the approaching Caldor Fire," said Karie Hall, SVP and general manager of Harrah’s and Harveys Lake Tahoe added. "We are so happy to celebrate these 25 individuals who represent the over 4600 firefighters and 100 agencies that fought in the devastating Caldor Fire. We thank all the firefighters, police [officers], the Forest Service, National Guard, medical personnel, and volunteers who helped protect this community and the surrounding areas.”