cal fire

Detwiler Fire cause released; Over 81k acres burned and now 97% contained

The discharge of firearms on public lands has been determined the cause of Mariposa County's Detwiler Fire which has destroyed 63 homes, 67 minor structures and 1 commercial building since starting July 16, 2017.

21 other homes and buildings were damaged.

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) investigators said specifics are still under investigation.

The Detwiler Fire has burned 81,826 acres and was 97 percent contained as of 7:00 a.m. Saturday, August 5.

Free tree removal for low-income El Dorado County seniors

With tree mortality issues so prevalent in the Sierra, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors today launched a Tree Removal Grant Program for low-income seniors.

“The tree mortality issues in our county remain very serious. We’re just happy to have this program available to assist private homeowners, especially our seniors with limited income, who have no other means to remove dead or dying trees from threatening damage to their homes,” said District IV Supervisor, Michael Ranalli.

Boy suspected of starting Auburn fire while smoking marijuana

8:45 p.m. update: A juvenile has been arrested by CalFire law enforcement officers for starting Thursday's fire in Auburn.

The boy told officers that he was smoking marijuana when the nearby brush caught fire. He then called and reported the fire. He was taken into custody by CalFire at the scene and booked at the Placer County Juvenile Hall on arson-related charges.

First responders and resilient community honored on 10th anniversary of Angora Fire

"It was so frustrating and only so much we could do," recalled Kit Bailey of the U.S. Forest Service during Saturday's Angora Fire First Responder Remembrance Ceremony. "Its miraculous nobody got hurt."

On the 10th anniversary of the devastating fire that destroyed 254 homes as it burned quickly through 3,100 acres in the Meyers area of the South Shore, fire responders gathered at the Lake Valley Fire Department to honor those who served that day, and to honor the resilient community that supported them.

Events at Lake Valley Fire and Valhalla mark 10th anniversary of Angora Fire

Event Date: 
June 24, 2017 - 8:30am

Events continue on the South Shore to mark the 10th anniversary of the Angora Fire.

Angora Fire First Responder Remembrance Ceremony
Saturday, June 24, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Lake Valley Fire Protection District Station 7, 2211 Keetak Street, South Lake Tahoe, CA

Angora Commemoration
Saturday, June 24, 10:30 a.m. to noon
Valhalla Grand Lawn, 1 Valhalla Road, State Route 89, South Lake Tahoe, CA
Sponsored by the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team

Speakers for the event:
Welcome South Lake Tahoe Mayor Austin Sass

Get Ready for Wildfire app released by CalFire

Even have a stellar winter with snow still packing the Sierra Nevada, fire officials are getting ready for what they think will be an active fire season in California.

Emerald Fire remains at 176 acres, 90 percent contained

Crews remain at the scene of the Emerald Fire near South Lake Tahoe today, both getting containment lines around the burned 176 acres and preparing for heavy rains that could cause flash flooding. There is a containment line around 90 percent of the fire, with the west slopes above Cascade Lake remaining to be contained.

As of 7:00 a.m. Sunday, there are six engines, three fire crews and one tender in the fire area which surrounded Highway 89 each and west between Fallen Leaf Lake and Cascade Lake.

Smoke detectors: Do you know your expiration date?

During Fire Prevention Week, the Tahoe Fire Fuels Team is reminding Lake Tahoe Basin residents that this is the time to check your smoke alarm.

Even if you change your batteries in the old style alarm annually, their life expectancy is still ten years. The new sealed smoke detectors which are required in new building codes require no battery change but they too are expected to only last ten years.

Lake Valley Fire offers free curbside chipping through October

Homeowners in the Lake Valley Fire Protection District (LVFPD) area are encouraged to take advantage of their free curbside chipping service through the month of October.

The chipping crew is still actively responding to requests and will be available through the month as long as conditions permit.

Prescribed burning to resume in Eldorado National Forest

If you see smoke around Amador, Georgetown and Placerville it will most likely be from 12,671 acres of National Forest land being burned this fall by the U.S. Forest Service.

USFS will begin its fall prescribed burn program in the Eldorado National Forest as soon as weather conditions are favorable. Fire managers plan to burn approximately, 12,671 acres of National Forest land this fall, winter and spring using a combination of understory and pile burning techniques.

Small fires continue around South Lake Tahoe

There have been two more small fires around South Lake Tahoe in the last four days, the most recent Tuesday night.

On Saturday, September 24 at 6:30 p.m. there was a small wildfire on National Forest land off Park Avenue. It was approximately 20 feet by 20 feet and the cause is under investigation.

Tuesday, September 27, there was a small wildfire near the same location reported at 10 p.m. It was approximately 50 feet by 50 feet and also remains under investigation.

Fire at Spooner Lake brings out full response: Burns just over 1/2 acre and now under control

A fire near Spooner Lake brought out multiple agencies and the two SuperScoopers staying at the Lake Tahoe Airport Tuesday afternoon, but the quick response kept the fire at just over 1/2 acre before being contained.

With Red Flag conditions existing at the time, engines and crews from the US Forest Service, Cal Fire, Tahoe Douglas Fire, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and BLM all responded to the Spooner Lake State Park after receiving the call at 3:58 p.m.

9/11 Memorial in South Lake Tahoe honors first responders and military

September 11, 2001 at 5:51 a.m. PST/ 8:51 a.m. local New York time. Its one of those days, and times, that people remember what they were doing at the exact moment the images of the first airplane guided by terrorists hitting a tower of the World Trade Center.

September 11, 2001 at 6:03 a.m. PST/ 9:03 a.m. local New York time. As most of the nation was watching their televisions or listening to their radios, the second tower of the World Trade Center was hit by another airplane.

Another small fire in South Lake Tahoe Wednesday morning

The eighth fire in ten days broke out early Wednesday morning in South Lake Tahoe, this time on Edna Street near Pioneer Trail. Just under one-half of an acre of National Forest Service land burned in the 12:30 a.m. fire which burned a short distance away from Friday's Ralph Drive fire.

Firefighters from US Forest Service, South Lake Tahoe, Lake Valley and Cal Fire all responded and got the fire under control quickly, and had the area contained with a wet line by 6:46 a.m.

Here is a breakdown of the recent fires:

Over 12,000 firefighters battling 13 fires burning across state

Firefighters continue to fight 13 blazes across the state of California, which have now burned almost 209,000 acres. That is 326.5 square miles of land burned in the state from current fires, not counting those that have since been extinguished.

The burned area is larger than the City of New York.

The largest fire, the Soberanes Fire near Big Sur, has burned 92,314 acres as is now 60 percent contained.

Calaveras County's Willow Fire is the closest to South Lake Tahoe. It started on Saturday and has burned 450 acres and is 30 percent contained.

Woman arrested, accused of starting 450-acre Willow Fire in Calaveras County

A woman driving on a country road on the rims of her car is suspected of starting multiple fires which make up the Willow Fire, a 450-acre fire currently burning in Calaveras County.

An investigation by peace officers with California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Tuolumne – Calaveras Unit determined that Renee Hogan drove on a flat tire along Mountain Ranch Road, east of the town of San Andreas, when sparks created from the dragging metal rim started several fires in the surrounding vegetation.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county.

The following are calls that only pertain to the South Shore. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at press time and the story will be updated when provided.

7/31

1:15 a.m. - Vacation Rental Issue - Gentian Circle - VACATION RENTAL VIOLATION

6:45 p.m. - Runaway - South Lake Tahoe - 16-YEAR-OLD MALE RAN AWAY

8/1

Quick response to two fires burning near Heavenly Gondola

6:50 p.m. update - The gondola is no longer threatened by the Montreal Fire. The fires are contained at this time and expected to be controlled soon. Wrap up of fire activity is expected at 9:00 p.m. but personnel will remain on the scene to watch overnight.

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Woman drowns while rafting on American River near Kyburz

A San Francisco woman died on the South Fork of the American River near Kyburz while rafting on Saturday, July 9.

Elaine Yi Mau, 32, was camping at the China Flat Campground with friends when they took rafts into the nearby river. At 4:09 p.m., the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office was told of a rafting accident involving Mau. She had been on a raft with someone who fell off, and when he surfaced, Mau was gone.

1882 pounds of illegal fireworks confiscated at Truckee "bug" station

Fire and law enforcement officers across the State are working together to confiscate illegal fireworks and get them off the street. In Placer County, an announced inspection of all vehicles going through the Truckee agricultural station netted 1,882 pounds of illegal fireworks, resulting in 20 misdemeanor citations and seven felony arrests.

In another operation, CAL FIRE joined a multi-agency fireworks seizure operation in San Bernardino County that resulted in the confiscation of 25,406 pounds of illegal fireworks, 51 misdemeanor citations issued, as well as two felony arrests.

Firefighters gain on Trailhead Fire: 50% contained, burns 5,444 acres

8:30 p.m. update 7/4/16: Firefighters working on the Trailhead Fire in El Dorado County gained a lot of ground Monday, getting a containment line around 50 percent of the fire. So far, 5,444 acres have burned.

Fire pit restrictions differ on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe

Depending on where you live on the South Shore, you may be able to have a wood fire in your outdoor fire pit, or, maybe not.

Restrictions differ between Tahoe Douglas Fire Department and the City of South Lake Tahoe and Lake Valley Fire Departments.

Cal Fire and the U.S Forest Service also have fire regulations to be aware of.

Early morning fire at South Lake Tahoe home

5:30 p.m. update 6/27: A call went into South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue at 6:47 a.m. Monday, June 27 of a home on fire on Kubel Avenue. When personnel arrived, they saw flames from the roof and shed at the rear of the property.

Central California near Lake Isabella has burned 43,460 acres, destroyed 150 homes, killed two

3:00 p.m. update 6/29: Rain showers in the mountains above Bakersfield have helped fire fighters gain control of the Erskine Fire which has now consumed 46,684 acres near Lake Isabella.

The 1,743 firefighters at the scene have a containment line around 60 percent of the fire.

There are currently no evacuations in place and a re-entry plan has been established. 257 homes were destroyed with another 17 damaged.

Think First - Keep Tahoe Fire Safe

June is wildfire awareness month at Lake Tahoe. And nine years later, the 2007 Angora Fire remains a vivid remember that wildfire is one of the greatest threats facing our environment, our homes, and our businesses. We must prepare accordingly.

Our region continues to take important steps to manage that wildfire threat, improve the health of our forests, and create fire adapted communities that are prepared for the next wildfire at Tahoe. But there is more work to do.

Think First—Keep Tahoe Fire Safe!

The hot, dry days of summer will soon be upon us. Preparing your home for wildfire is more important than ever. And now is a good time to get started. June is “Wildfire Awareness Month” in the Lake Tahoe Basin, and members of the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team are asking all Tahoe residents and visitors to “Think First to Keep Tahoe Fire Safe”

Opinion: If you see something, say something

On September 12, 2001, advertising luminary Allen Kay coined the phrase, “If you see something, say something.”[1] In the wake of horrific events the day before, Kay recognized that no matter how well trained, equipped and staffed, law enforcement can’t do it alone. Within a relatively short period of time, the slogan was plastered on New York City transit vehicles. Over time, the Law Enforcement and Homeland Security slogan has become so well known it has been described as the equivalent of Nike’s “Just do it” advertisement.[2]

El Dorado County to address dead trees

Drought conditions and resulting bark beetle infestations have caused pervasive tree mortality across the Central and Southern Sierra Nevada Mountains. It is estimated that there are over 29 million dead trees and this number continues to grow on a daily basis. El Dorado County is not immune to this epidemic as there are thousands of dead and dying trees threatening public safety and infrastructure.

Woman rescued from cliffs above Emerald Bay

An Incline Village woman was rescued from the cliffs above Vikingsholm in Emerald Bay on Thursday after she slipped while climbing down the mountain.

Jane Rylander had been climbing in the steep cliff bands from Vikingsholm parking lot down towards the main castle. She slipped and slid down the embankment becoming stuck on the cliff band. She was not injured but could not climb up or down and was in the need of rescue.

Fire destroys condos in Tahoe Keys

5/4/16 11:00 a.m. update: The fire that swept through a Tahoe Keys condo complext on Tuesday caused an estimated $3 million in damage. Seven of the units suffered significant damage and a few other units in the surrounding condominiums have had some water and/or smoke damage. Firefighters arrived after receiving the 1:48 p.m. 911 call, and the fire was contained at approximately 4:10 p.m. Fire fighting personnel remained on the scene until 9:00 p.m.

King Fire arsonist sentenced to 20 years in prison, $60 million in restitution

Arsonist Wayne Allen Huntsman was sentenced to 20 years in prison and ordered to pay over $60 million in victim restitution after he pleaded guilty Friday to starting the catastrophic King Fire in 2014.

Twenty years in prison was the maximum sentence Huntsman could receive for the guilty plea of three counts of Arson to Forest Land, admitted multiple enhancements for causing injury to firefighters and destruction of multiple structures.

Ex-firefighter from Placerville sent to jail for five years for arson

Benjamin Cunha, 33, of Placerville, was sentenced Tuesday, February 23, 2016 to five years in prison for arson after being found guilty of setting at least 30 wildland fires during the summers of 2006 and 2007.

Two of these fires burned onto federal land. Cunha indicated that his motivation for setting the fires was to overcome boredom, to earn overtime pay for fighting the fires, and to impress his peers.

United States District Judge John A. Mendez also ordered Cunha to pay $246,862 in restitution to Cal Fire, his former employer.

Forest Service lifts their fire restrictions for Lake Tahoe

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) lifted fire restrictions on National Forest System lands on Friday, October 30, 2015.

“While conditions have allowed the Forest Service to lift fire restrictions, wildfires can still occur,” said Fire Management Officer, Kit Bailey. “Visitors to our National Forests need to educate themselves about how to safely build and extinguish a campfire, and should continue to be careful and remember that campfires are only allowed in certain areas.”

Two people die as plane crashes in South Lake Tahoe after takeoff

8:00 a.m. update 10/12/15: Authorities spent Sunday removing parts of the plane that remained in trees surrounding the crash site that claimed the lives of two people in South Lake Tahoe.

Investigators say the plane hit trees before crashing behind a home on Tionontati Street just before 5:36 p.m. Saturday, October 10. A fire started which scorched the home.

The force of the crash broke a large tree just feet away from the house.

Two hurt in small El Dorado County plane crash

Two men suffered moderate injuries Wednesday after a small plane went down at the Georgetown Airport, the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office said.

Emergency personnel from several agencies, including Cal Fire, Georgetown Fire and El Dorado County Fire responded, finding the single engine Luscombe plane down an embankment near the runway.

The impact of the crash bent the nose up almost 90 degrees.

People familiar with the aircraft's two occupants told FOX40 both are longtime Georgetown residents, and one is the owner of the plane and a flight instructor.

Teenage son arrested in deaths of his family in El Dorado County

El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDSO) arrested a 16-year-old boy on Thursday on charges he murdered his family in their Greenwood, CA cabin.

On September 13, Cal Fire asked for the assistance of EDSO after they found human remains inside a burnt residence.

Northern California fire update

The Butte Fire near Jackson, CA continues to burn but is now 74% contained. So far, 70,760 acres have burned. The destructive and deadly fire destroyed 545 homes and 356 outbuildings, as well as damaging another 42 structures. Two civilians have died in the fire.

Cal Fire is holding two community information meetings, one in each affected county. (Amador County) Monday, September 21, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. The Call Church; 18400 Ridge Road, Pine Grove, CA 95665.

Butte Fire: Two Fatalities Confirmed, Containment Grows To 47 Percent

6:47 p.m. - Cal Fire says containment on the Butte Fire has grown to 47 percent, with acreage burned holding at 71,780 acres.

Damage assessment shows 233 residences, 175 outbuildings and 15 other structures burned in the fire, with 6,000 additional structures still threatened.

Officials ask that area residents remain vigilant, as the fire is still active in many areas. They also ask for people to assist by calling the appropriate authorities for specific situations:

If you see trees on a highway, please call Cal-Trans at 209-948-7543.

Butte Fire is 40% contained; 71,780 acres burned

6:15 p.m. update 9/15/15:

New evacuation advisories were put up at the scene of the large Butte Fire on Tuesday.

Walker Fire burns 3,715 acres and is now 35% contained

8 p.m. update 8/18/15:

The Walker Fire has now burned 3,715 acres and is now 35% contained. It has been determined that the fire is human caused and is under investigation.

There are 484 firefighters working on the fire along with 4 helicopters, 2 Air tankers, 34 Engines, 10 Crews, 6 Water Tenders, and 4 Dozers.

235 structures remain threatened but none have burned so far.

Updated fire plan to be presented at Lake Tahoe Summit

An updated Lake Tahoe Basin Community Wildfire Protection Plan will be presented to the public during the Lake Tahoe Environmental Summit on Monday, August 24, 2015. This new Community Wildfire Protection Plan was collaboratively developed by the 18 member organizations of the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT) and is the culmination of a three-year planning effort.

Four firefighters burned while on the Lowell Fire; Willow Fire growing

Two fires, starting within minutes of each other on Saturday, are currently burning out of control in the Sierra Nevada.

9:30 p.m. update 7/26/15:

The Lowell Fire burning near the town of Alta off of I-80 in the Sierras has burned 1,500 acres and is now 15% contained.

Early this evening, two CAL FIRE and two U.S. Forest Service firefighters suffered burn injuries while battling the Lowell Fire in Nevada County. The firefighters were airlifted from the fire and transported to UC Davis Burn Center in Sacramento.

One Less Spark Means One Less Wildfire

With the passing of the 4th of July we find ourselves right in the middle of summer here in the Tahoe Basin. Locals and visitors alike recreating in many different ways, from camping to mountain biking, to boating, Lake Tahoe has something for everyone. This summer and particularly this summer due to continued drought conditions, it is important to remember just how fragile the Tahoe Basin is, and that there is a persistent threat of wildfire. Everyone needs to take steps to ensure they are being fire smart in everything they do. Doing the right thing, the wrong way can start a wildfire.

Washington Fire now 56% contained; 17,787 acres burned

6:00 p.m. update 6/29/15

Firefighters made a lot of progress on the fire lines at the Washington Fire south of Markleeville on Monday, gaining containment of 56% of the perimeter. So far, 17,787 acres have burned.

The lightning caused fire grew quickly a week ago, from 30 acres on June 19 to 6,500 acres by June 21.

At one time, over 1,100 fire personnel were working on suppression of the fire. Those numbers were reduced today to 860 as containment grew.

Hikers injured at Horsetail Falls and Cascade Falls

Two different backcountry hikers needed to be rescued by the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team on Monday, June 8.

The first incident was at 12:43 p.m. when an adult male hiker fell at Cascade Falls, resulting in traumatic injuries. With the assistance of ground personnel from Lake Valley Fire Department, USFS and Cal Fire, rescuers were able to provide care and get the hiker hoisted out on a California Highway Patrol helicopter. The CHP helicopter transferred the hiker to a CALSTAR medical air ambulance, and then transported to Renown Medical Center in Reno.

Dozens of Skyland residents evacuated during fire drill

Every year, South Lake Tahoe fire agencies prepare to fight fires around the basin but they rarely get to practice evacuations of residents.

That opportunity came on Monday when the Tahoe Douglas Fire District and Skyland Fire Adapted Community executed an inter-agency wildfire evacuation drill in the Skyland neighborhood.

The drill simulated a real evacuation event to give residents the opportunity to practice evacuating from their homes and getting to the designated safe zone.

South Lake Tahoe fire causes damage and claims two dogs

It took South Lake Tahoe firefighters just 15 minutes to put out an early morning fire in the Sierra Tract neighborhood that caused one minor injury and claimed the lives of two dogs that lived in the house.

The emergency call came into dispatch at 1:32 a.m. Thursday, April 30. Nine units responded from the South Lake Tahoe, Cal Fire, Lake Valley Fire and Tahoe Douglas Fire departments with a total of 16 personnel. Once the fire was under control, Tahoe Douglas units were released to cover the city while others stayed on scene for over two hours to clean up the scene.

Unattended cooking fire sparks Southern California wildfire

Firefighters late Sunday sought to control a Southern California wildfire that broke out in a forested basin, prompting the evacuation of about 300 homes.

The Riverside County fire, near the Prado Basin and the intersection of Highways 91 and 71, was 1,020 acres and 35% contained, said Cal Fire. Evacuation orders had been lifted, but the agency warned nearby communities would experience low-lying smoke. The fire in the densely covered river basin had sent up huge plumes of smoke.

El Dorado County wildfire off Highway 49 fully contained

Smoke in the sky in El Dorado County was from 14-acre wildfire on Thursday, according to Cal Fire.

The Gold Fire was off 8201 Highway 49 in the area of Sand Ridge Road.

The location is near or where the Sand Fire burned in 2104.

Cal Fire tweeted the fire was 100 percent contained as of 5:30 p.m. Friday afternoon.

The flames were in a hard-to-reach area, Cal Fire reported. One helicopter was initially working the fire and additional firefighting resources had been requested.

Lake Tahoe agencies to hold prescribed fire open house

Event Date: 
November 12, 2014 - 5:00pm

Learn about prescribed burns at a South Lake Tahoe open house hosted by the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team. Team members will be on hand to answer questions about how the agencies plan and implement prescribed fire in the Lake Tahoe basin.

The Open House will be held on Wednesday, November 12, 2014, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Forest Supervisor’s office at 35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, Calif. Participating agencies include the Forest Service, CAL FIRE, Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, and Tahoe Douglas and Lake Valley fire protection districts.

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