calfire

There are over 40 major fires currently burning in California, filling skies with heavy smoke from the ocean to the Sierra up and down the state. While there are no fires in the Lake Tahoe Basin, there are a few close enough to be responsible for sending smoke into the region. The closest is the Fork Fire east of Lake Tahoe about 13 miles northeast of Pollock Pines. To the south is the Slink Fire and northwest is the large North Complex.

Fork Fire

Statistics on the Fork Fire have not been updated all day. As of 11:00 a.m. Wednesday the estimated size was 2,500 acres.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With 367 current wildfires in the state of California, fire fighting resources are spread thin. Calfire If there was a fire in South Lake Tahoe, are you prepared?

Tens of thousands of residents are evacuated from their homes in Napa, Sonoma, Santa Cruz, Salinas, Grass Valley, Nevada City and other cities in the state. Most of the fires were started by a massive lightning storm over Northern California Sunday where over 10,800 lightning strikes were observed.

UPDATE 7:335 p.m.: Douglas County officials say the Numbers Fire has now reached 18,000 acres and is 0% contained. The recommended evacuations for the Bodie Flats and Pineview areas have been lifted. Only residents are allowed to these areas. Please drive safely, watch for emergency vehicles, and be ready for possible future instructions in an ever-changing situation.

Multiple local, state, and federal agencies continue to work on containing the fire using dozers, hand crews, and aircraft.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Fire season is upon us and many restrictions are now in effect where outdoor burning, campfires, and fire pits are concerned. 2020 started out with the driest February on record since the 1850s, and there is an increased fire danger posed by dead grass and hotter, drier conditions in the region.

It is important to understand that with all of the different fire areas around Lake Tahoe, there are different rules.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The December edition of the City of South Lake Tahoe's "At Lake Level" has been released by City Manager Frank Rush. This month Rush covers SnowGlobe, the 56-acre site and a possible new Fire/EMS station for the community.

56-Acre Site

There was minimal fire activity on the Caples Fire last night due to near freezing nighttime temperatures, high relative humidity, and very light winds. The natural wind patterns from the west/southwest will continue to be good for suppression actions. Temperatures are moderate during the day and the relative humidity is low, and those nighttime conditions help with light winds and high relative humidity recovery.

The Caples Creek prescribed burn that has been sending smoke into the Lake Tahoe Basin and Carson Valley all week has turned into a wildland fire.

On October 10 at approximately 1:30 p.m., fire managers made the decision due to unfavorable weather conditions and the inability to meet previously established objectives. This change allows for additional resources to assist in suppression from partners such as CalFire.

The Lake Tahoe Basin Fall Prescribed Fire Program may begin as early as September 24, 2019, under the management of the Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team (TFFT), which includes local, state and federal fire and land management agencies.

Weather and conditions permitting, California State Park crews may begin prescribed fire operations in Burton Creek State Park near Tahoe City and in a couple of weeks move to D.L. Bliss State Park near Tahoma.

Smoke will likely be present.

MEYERS, Calif. - One house is a total loss and another suffered major damage after a 4th of July fire on Tehama Drive in Meyers.

At 9:30 p.m., a call went into Lake Valley Fire Protection District (LVFPD) of a house fire. At first, the caller thought the fire to be on Seneca Drive but it turned out to be at 703 Tehama Drive.

LVFPD Battalion Chief Brad Zlendick said the fire spread to a second home next door, causing major damage to the attic and sides.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - City Manager Frank Rush writes a community monthly newsletter and shares it on South Tahoe Now. The following is the May 1, 2019 edition:

Sign Up for the Brand New City Newsletter

3/2/19 UPDATE: Due to the projected weather conditions in South Lake Tahoe, the Monday, March 4th Vegetation Management meeting has been cancelled. The meeting well be rescheduled at a later date.

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - A public meeting to discuss vegetation management options in an effort to reduce fire danger in area communities will be held on Monday, March 4 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the upstairs room at Lake Valley Fire Protection District Headquarters.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Fire Chief Jeff Meston is retiring from South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFR) on February 28, five years and five months after he came out of retirement to head up the department.

On Friday, February 1, Meston submitted his resignation to the City.

"When I was hired by CM (City Manager) Kerry I promised to spend between 3-5 years with the City Fire Department and bring them as far as I could to be a “world class” fire department," Meston said in his resignation letter.

He feels he's accomplished what he set out to do.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif - An automatic fire alarm was triggered by a fire inside Sierra House Elementary school at 9:35 p.m. Sunday, November 11, bringing out a full response from fire fighters around the lake and law enforcement.

Lake Valley Fire Protection District (LVFPD) was the first on the scene and saw smoke coming from the school which is located at Pioneer Trail and Remington Trail. Once inside they found fire in what is known as the upper pod at the school.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - An illegal and abandoned campfire near the Pacific Crest Trail ignited a fire on Wednesday evening.

Crews from USFS, Lake Valley Fire and Calfire were called to the 5:20 p.m. fire on September 19. They staged at the Echo Summit Caltrans maintenance yard on Highway 50, and when determined to be on Forest Service land, the Engine 42 crew from USFS hiked into the fire location and the others were on call in case needed.

Fire restrictions on National Forest System lands in the Lake Tahoe Basin began Friday, August 17, 2018, and will remain in effect through November 15. Warm temperatures and dry vegetation combined with numerous wildfires burning in our region prompted the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) to implement restrictions intended to safeguard our communities across the Tahoe Basin.

Trees on the 46.52 acre Lake Tahoe Airport property will soon be removed as required (and overdue) by the California Department of Transportation Division of Aeronautics. It has been 11 years since trees have been removed on the property and there is increasing threat into the navigable airspace at north end of runway from trees. The aircraft that frequent the airport would be unable to takeoff with the increased growth.

For the past five years, the department has issued letters of correction to remove multiple tree obstructions on the runway.

8:00 p.m. update: Omega Fire is 10 percent contained, reported at 80 acres with 1 destroyed residence and two damaged residences. The evacuation center has been relocated to Northside Elementary School, 860 Cave Valley Road, Cool, Calif.

The Bumper Fire is 80 percent contained and it has burned 67 acres according to CalFire.

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Three fires started in El Dorado County Wednesday, prompting law enforcement to evacuate residents from several streets in the areas as firefighters fought the fire from both the ground and the air.

A fire destroyed a vehicle parked outside a Meyers residence early Tuesday morning. The call came in at 3:26 a.m. July 17, and Lake Valley Fire Protection District, CalFire and the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDSO) reponded.

The fire was contained to the vehicle which was parked on Zuni Street.

The incident is an active investigation on a suspicious fire, according to EDSO Sergeant Anthony Prencipe.

No other details at this point.

UPDATE 7/2 8:15AM: The victim in Saturday's shooting has been identified as 44-year-old Christopher Kitchen of South Lake Tahoe. The suspect, 62-year-old Roy Figaro of South Lake Tahoe, is in the El Dorado County Jail and is facing murder charges.

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One person has died after being shot Saturday near the Y in South Lake Tahoe.

Just before 5:30 p.m. on June 30, 2018, officers from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) responded to the 1000 block of Julie lane after several calls were made into dispatch about shots fired.

There was a multi-agency response to a residential structure fire near Antelope and Alder streets in Tahoma on the west shore of Lake Tahoe around 9:48 a.m. Thursday.

When Meeks Bay Fire Protection District (MBFPD) fire engines first arrived, they found the home 50 percent engulfed in flames. Three adults live in the two-story house and two were home at the time of the fire. They were able to get out with no injuries.

The South Lake Tahoe community enjoyed a large Thanksgiving dinner Monday night during Bread & Broth's 28th annual holiday meal. Grace Hall was full of people and as of 5:00 p.m., 150 people had already gone through the line which featured turkey, mashed potatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, stuffing, green beans and dessert.

The volunteers of Bread & Broth cooked 300 pounds of Turkey, 100 pounds of stuffing, 50 pies, 50 pounds of carrots, 90 pounds of green beans and bags of sweet potatoes.

An early morning fire destroyed a cabin on the north shore of Echo Lake on Wednesday. Firefighters called to the scene had to get there by boat, the only access to the home.

Crews from Lake Valley Fire Protection District (LVFPD) responded to the 5:50 a.m. call. The sole occupant had awoken to a smoke filled home and called 911 as they exited the two-story cabin.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The 2nd annual Public Safety Appreciation Day was held on Thursday, September 7, and community members came out to say "thank you" to personnel from several agencies.

The City of South Lake Tahoe hosted the event which had live music, free BBQ and ice cream and a thank-you card making station.

Kids were able climb on board fire trucks, meet the new Search & Rescue puppy and get to know those who protect them on a daily basis.

Agencies invited were:

Calfire
· California Highway Patrol
· Nevada Highway Patrol
· Douglas County Sheriff's Office

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Everyone is invited out to Lakeview Commons on Thursday, September 7 to say "thank you" to the men and women who protect the South Shore communities at the 2nd annual Public Safety Appreciation Day.

The City of South Lake Tahoe will be hosting the event from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and will feature live music, BBQ, a thank you card making station and blue ribbons to tie around the trees at Lakeview Commons as a visual way to say thank you.

This is a multi-agency event to show appreciation:

· Calfire
· California Highway Patrol