Fire Prevention

South Tahoe Now reached out to all nine candidates for South Lake Tahoe City Council and provided the same list of questions to each one of them. Once a day their answers will be published in the order received.

Today's candidate is John Friedrich

Profession: Founder and Director, Tahoe Green Jobs Initiative

How many years in SLT: 15

Forest officials everywhere are saying: Recreate Responsibly.

Despite large campaigns about fire restrictions and "pack it in pack it out," many visitors to the Eldorado National Forest are not acting responsibly.

Fire and law enforcement officers had another busy weekend contacting a record numbers of visitors about campfires they had made that are not allowed under the current fire restrictions in the Eldorado National Forest.

Three wildfires on Echo Summit kept firefighters busy Sunday morning.

Named the Echo, Upper, and Lake Fires by the USFS Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU), all were kept from spreading due to a quick response by local, state and federal resources along with air support. They were all in the Echo Lakes area.

The cause of these fires is under investigation according to LTBMU. Scanner reports during the day stated all three could possibly be intentionally set but that has yet to be confirmed. No other information is available at this time.

I support the upcoming Measure B and believe all voters should be informed as to the importance of passing this $52/year bond issue. As a 47-year resident, I have developed a very high degree of respect for and confidence in the Lake Valley Fire Protection District and it’s publicly elected Board of Directors.

The Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation has announced a donation of $18,057 to the Tahoe Resource Conservation District (Tahoe RCD) to enhance wildfire suppression capabilities on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe. This donation will result in the expansion of strategic and tactical Wildfire Pre Attack plans covering the entire Lake Tahoe Basin. Pre Attack Plans help first responders by identifying critical infrastructure, vulnerable population groups, evacuation routes, water sources, Temporary Refuge Areas, and locations where forests have been thinned before a wildfire strikes.

South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue's (SLTFR) annual Open House will be held on Saturday, October 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Both of their fire stations (1 & 3) will be open to the public with tours, hands-on demonstrations, light refreshments, safety information and giveaways.

Fire Station #1 1252 Ski Run Blvd.
- Participate in Fire Extinguisher prop and hands-only CPR training
- Life safety info, tours, static displays of apparatus, & giveaways
- Learn home safety tips with the Ember House

Fire Station #3 2101 Lake Tahoe Blvd.
- Smokey Bear visit

Fire Fest is returning to the South Shore on Saturday, September 21, 2019, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. outside the back of Hard Rock Casino Lake Tahoe. Admission is free and it's a great opportunity for families to have fun while learning about safety and conservation.

Helicopters will be the stars this year as they land just outside the venue at the Hard Rock Casino Lake Tahoe. What an incredible opportunity to get a close-up look at these amazing machines! Crews will be on hand to answer questions and explain how they help us when we need them most.

California State Park Champions volunteer across the state from the ocean to the mountains, and an opportunity is heading to the Sierra at Grover Hot Springs on April 20, 2019 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Help with fire prevention projects by removing invasive weeds that push out the park's native plants and increase fire risks in the park. Volunteers 12 and older welcome (minors must be accompanied by a legal guardian).

After volunteering, enjoy a soak in the park's hot springs pool. Free camping is available for registered volunteers Friday and Saturday nights.

In August, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) awarded $27.5 million to fund high-priority forest health projects designed to combat climate change and reduce the risk of wildfires.

During their board meeting Thursday the California Tahoe Conservancy Board accepted their portion, a $2.3 million grant, for fire prevention projects and related efforts as part of the Tahoe-Central Sierra Initiative.

The public is invited to celebrate National Public Lands Day (NPLD) with the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) and our partners at Nevada Beach Pavilion on Saturday, September 22, 2018, from 9:00 a.m. until noon. The LTBMU and Tahoe Recreation will host this free community event, which provides an opportunity for the public to connect and engage with volunteers and organizations to learn how to best enjoy and protect our public lands.

Over the last several months there has been a great deal of wildland fire activity around the region. Sadly, most fires are human-caused and completely preventable if the public would take the time to better understand conditions that are favorable for fire starts. Fire prevention is the key to keeping our communities and forests safe from wildfire.

Although fire season is now considered a year-round event, wildfires mostly occur in the late summer and early fall when temperatures are still high, humidity is low and vegetation that can feed a wildfire is extremely dry.

The annual Lake Tahoe Summit held this week at Sand Harbor State Park marked the 22nd time government officials, public agencies, non-profit environmental groups, the public and other groups came together to renew their focus and commitment on preserving the beauty of Lake Tahoe.

Summer officially arrived yesterday and recreational activities are in full swing in the Tahoe Basin. The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT) would like to take this opportunity to remind visitors and residents that wildfires pose a serious threat to Lake Tahoe neighborhoods and communities and we need help to prevent any unwanted fires this summer. Whether camping, hiking or participating in some other activity in the forest, keep in mind the following advice to Keep Tahoe Fire Safe.

Fireworks

The Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce (Tahoe Chamber) is holding their annual Blue Ribbon Awards dinner on Thursday, November 9 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Harrah's Lake Tahoe Ballroom. This gala event honors businesses, organizations, and individuals for civic contributions, tourism experiences, customer service, and entrepreneurial achievements. Tickets for the award ceremony are currently available online at www.TahoeChamber.org.

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.

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.

Two local firefighters will be joining almost 600 California-based U.S. Forest Service wildland firefighters and support personnel as they head to Arizona and New Mexico to fight massive fires.

In Arizona, almost 40,000 acres have burned in over ten fires; In New Mexico 13,000 acres have burned this week, over 30,000 acres last week.

The personnel that are part of this mobilization come from all 18 national forests in California (Pacific Southwest Region).

Ralph Jones, a 17-year veteran of the Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District, has been promoted from captain to battalion chief.

Jones has been in fire service for over 30 years and was previously with the East Fork Fire Protection District. He started with TDFPD in 1999 as a firefighter/paramedic.

"He is an accomplished and respected peer," said Eric Guevin, Fire Marshal.

Chief Jones has been married to his wife Julia for 37 years, and they have three daughters, three sons and five grandchildren. He resides in Minden where his service started as a volunteer firefighter in 1984.

Due to a venue conflict, the 2016 FireFest will be held at Hard Rock Casino Lake Tahoe on Saturday, September 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The free event is open to the public.

Why is there so much negativity in our community about issues on which we disagree? I posted a comment supporting my friend Jason Collin in this online news site and Kenny Curtzweiler replied that people should not donate to the non-profit organization I work for – the Tahoe Prosperity Center. How is that acceptable? Are we not allowed to voice our opinions and not be branded for them? My opinions are my own and not those of the Tahoe Prosperity Center. To equate one with the other (and then to ask people not to support the incredibly important work we are doing) is irresponsible.

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.

Gregory "Scott" Baker has joined the Tahoe Douglas Fire District as their new Assistant Fire Chief, replacing Mark A. Novak who left the department a year ago to become the new Fire Chief in Vail, Colorado.

Baker, who brings with him over 20-years of service, comes to the fire district from the Reno Fire Department where his most recent position was that of Division Chief of Fleet and Facilities.

Winter is here and that means more family and friend gatherings inside the home. Whether in the kitchen, near the fireplace or stove, it’s always a good idea to brush up on home safety tips.

Before we gather around the fireplace or stove, remember these important safety tips:

• Have a qualified professional install stoves, chimney connectors, and chimneys.
• Stoves should have the label of an independent testing laboratory.
• In wood stoves, burn only dry, seasoned wood. In pellet stoves, burn only dry, seasoned wood pellets.

Those of us living in the Sierra Nevada are well aware of the drought and of the growing threat of wildfires caused by dry conditions. Due to the threat of catastrophic wildfires in the West, three major players at the government level have called for reforms in the way the federal government funds wildfire suppression efforts.