fire department

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A 22-year-old South Lake Tahoe man is alive today thanks to efforts of rescuers who were on the beach of Tahoe Beach Retreat on Thursday, May 10, when he went underwater after being on a kayak.

At 2:46 p.m., a call was made to 911 about a drowning man in the lake. When the South Lake Tahoe Fire Department arrived three minutes later, two off-duty firemen were on the scene already, along with the South Lake Tahoe Police Department.

If you had walked onto the LTCC campus on Tuesday, April 3, you would have never guessed that there were 325 6th grade youth and 220 agency and volunteer workers throughout the corridors, all learning information on how and why to keep themselves safe from drugs. “Choices, what are yours?” was the theme of our efforts in keeping our youth drug free. With the country’s attitudes and norms about drug use changing, times are even more difficult for our kids.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Last October, California experienced a series of devastating wildfires that destroyed property and took lives. In a four month period the State endured fires and floods from San Diego to Mendocino that destroyed over 11,000 homes and commercial structures and killed 64 Californians. Local Government fire and rescue personnel and equipment comprised up to 80 percent available resources for mutual aid throughout the State. The City of South Lake Tahoe Fire Department along with other fire agencies around the basin engaged in these critical fire fights.

11:47 p.m. update: Eastbound lanes on Highway 50 have reopened. The westbound lanes are still closed and traffic must use Lake Parkway instead.

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10:45 p.m. update: Limited traffic will soon be allowed back on two lanes of Highway 50 through Stateline after NV Energy has re-energized their lines and power is back on in the area. As of 10:30 p.m., Douglas County Sheriff's Office spokesperson said it should be about an hour longer until open.

Explosion holes are being patched temporarily and traffic will not be allowed to drive on the plates.

The South Lake Tahoe Optimist Club will be holding their 51st annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 31 at Lake Tahoe Community College adjacent to the gymnasium.

The fun gets underway at 10:00 a.m.

At 10:30 a.m., the Easter Bunny will start the traditional parade. There will be judging of all in Easter Bonnets and Easter Costumes starting at 10:45 a.m.

The big hunt for eggs starts at 11:00 a.m.

The hunt is open to ages 11 and under. Areas will be divided by age group, including an area for handicapped children.

A new group of local volunteers graduated from the South Tahoe Action Team (STAT) program during Tuesday's South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting.

There were 16 citizens participate in this session of the STAT training.

The body of a Pollock Pines man was located just after 8:00 a.m. Tuesday after going missing in an El Dorado Irrigation District (EID) untreated raw water conduit on Monday at about 4:00 p.m.

Tory Robert Mayes, a 34-year-old from Pollock Pines, went into the EID’s Camino Conduit pipe that carries raw water from Jenkinson Lake to EID’s water treatment plant 1.5 miles away.

Updated information 12/17/17 9:00PM:

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office has announced that a four-year-old from Redwood City, California has died on the South Shore.

At 1:27 p.m. Sunday, December 17, emergency personnel were called to MontBleu Casino and Resort in Stateline, Nevada after the toddler was found in a hot tub. He was transported by the Tahoe Douglas Fire Department to Barton Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

The next of kin has been notified.

This opinion piece has been updated.

Taxpayer Watchdogs For Dan Dellinger Recorder-Clerk will be hosting a “Campaign Launch” fundraising reception at Crystal Basin Winery in Camino on Wednesday Evening November 15 from 5:30 p.m to 9:00 p.m. Donation is $60 couples and $35 for singles with the proceeds going to help pay for important campaign material such as signs and voter education brochures to help elect Dellinger. All people interested in helping Dellinger improve County government and eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse, are encouraged to attend and support Dellinger’s election.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - Helicopters, fire trucks, K-9s and demonstrations are just a few of the activities planned for 23rd annual Fire Fest on Saturday, September 30, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. outside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe.

Admission is free and the event is a great opportunity for families to have fun while learning about safety and conservation.

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

UPDATE 12:42PM - Power has now been restored to all customers.

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UPDATE 12:00PM - Power is still out to 2,418 NV Energy customers. The power company estimates they will have power restored by 2:00 p.m. Monday. All Liberty Utilities customers have had their electricity restored.

For years the Fallen Leaf Lake Fire Department (FLLF) has wanted to join the South Lake Tahoe and Lake Valley fire departments and be part of the California Tahoe Emergency Services Operations Authority (CTESOA), and today they finally got their wish.

During Monday's meeting of CTESOA, also known as the CalTahoe JPA, the Board of Directors voted unanimously to add FLFF, giving them an ALS to be stationed at Fallen Leaf Lake as well as a possible voting spot on the board. (ALS-Advanced Life Support)

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

11:30 p.m. update: All evacuation orders have been lifted on both the Brenda Fire and the Cold Springs Fire.

Multiple resources aggressively attacked both fires Friday, preventing them from moving through the dry hillsides.

As of tonight, Truckee Meadows Fire Department is reporting 1500-2000 acres have burned in the Cold Springs Fire.

The Brenda Fire east of Washoe Lake has burned an estimated 1200 acres and it is 10 percent contained.

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Carson City Fire Department, East Fork Fire and Tahoe Douglas Fire responded to a brush fire on the valley side of Highway 50 on Spooner.

The fire was reported at around 12:20 p.m. and said to be around 1-2 miles up Highway 50 on the north side. Smoke and flames are visible at the time.

By 1:07 p.m., firefighters at the wildfire reported the blaze was contained with responding units on scene building a hose line around the fire and mopping up. The cause is under investigation.

Highway 50 at the area of the fire has been closed but is reported open at this time.

South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue is at a home on Chonokis Street this evening after the driver of a car hit the home's gas meter, shearing it completely off its base according to Battalion Chief Tim Spencer.

As of 7:00 p.m., SLTFR was at the scene, waiting for Southwest Gas to arrive to shut the gas off. In the meantime, the fire department was able to plugged the line temporarily.

Nobody was home in the neighboring properties so just one person was evacuated. They will remain out of their home unless Southwest arrives.

Reno area firefighters are at the scene of a brush fire along the Hunter Creek Trail in the west part of the City, a popular hiking spot. As of 3:30 p.m. the fire had consumed almost 200 acres according to Truckee Meadows Fire Department.

Crews from Reno Fire Department, Truckee Meadows Fire Department and the Nevada Division of Forestry are all at the scene along with helicopter and airplane help from the air.

8:00 p.m. update 6/19:The Garson Fire west of Reno is 50% contained and has burned 141 acres. Some homes were evacuated earlier Monday in the Quilici Ranch Road but the area has since been reopened to evacuated residents. The general public is not allowed in the fire area. NV Energy restored power yesterday to almost 3,000 who were without due to the fire.

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Fire crews from around the region are responding to a brush fire that sparked near Boomtown west of Reno Sunday, according to fire officials.

South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue along with multiple local agencies are coming together and hosting the 4th annual Wildfire Safety Expo on Saturday, June 17 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the TJ Maxx parking lot located at the “Y” where
Highways 50 and 89 intersect.

Everyone one is invited to the free event with lots of information about being prepared in case of a wildfire.

Two women escaped what could have been a tragic accident after their vehicle plunged into the fast-moving Carson River early Friday morning.

Deputies were called into the Carson River Canyon near Deer Run Road in the early morning hours, for a report of a vehicle that went into the river. Dispatch advised both occupants of the vehicle managed to escape and were safe. Dispatch received the initial call at 2:42 a.m.

One woman, who is pregnant, was taken to the hospital for an injury to her foot, according to family friend Crystal Pacheco. The other woman suffered minor scratches.

Holiday fun starts on Friday and goes through the weekend with Easter Egg Hunts and brunches.

Tot Egg Hunt at Kahle Community Park- Friday, April 14 - Sponsored by the Tahoe Douglas Firefighter's Association. Tot Egg Hunt is an Extra special day for Family Fun! The Easter Bunny will be hiding eggs outside and you can climb on fire trucks. Come inside and enjoy the bounce house, indoor playground, and refreshments. Bring a basket to collect eggs and a camera for an EGGciting day! Hunt begins at 11:00 AM.

Lake Valley Volunteer Firefighter’s Association held its 55th annual Fire Fighters Ball on March 10, 2017. The Ball was given a new theme this year as the fire fighters hosted a sold out elegant event at the Edgewood Tahoe which included fine dining, a presentation by Lake Valley FD Honor Guard, auctioning of firefighters skills such as yard cleanup, car detailing to name a few, an ongoing silent auction packed with dozens of items that were so generously donated to Lake Valley by our community and live music and dancing.