fire

7:15 p.m. UPDATE: All lanes have been reopened on US50 west of Sierra-at-Tahoe after a two-car head-on collision between a van and a SUV just after 5:00 p.m. Sunday. All injured parties have been transferred to Barton and the vehicles have been towed away.

At this time the extent of injuries is unknown but unconfirmed reports say all are minor at this time.

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Seasonal restrictions are now in place for over snow vehicles (OSV) in areas inside the Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest including Hope Valley and Red Lake.

Prohibitions are detailed on the attached maps and include bans on traveling on and off forest development roads and trails.

(Web page for Red Lake order and Map HERE)

(Web page for Hope Valley order and Map HERE)

On Thursday, Dec. 12, a federal jury returned indictments against six defendants who made false claims for benefits in connection with the 2018 Camp Fire and received funds from FEMA to compensate for their losses, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

Members of Lake Tahoe Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) joined groups from across the country on Saturday, December 14 for a Wreaths Across America ceremony. This was the first time it was held in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following are the 116 incidents the South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue and Cal-Tahoe JPA ambulances to from November 1 - November 13, 2019.

11/1

00:01 - 2700 block of Lake Tahoe Blvd - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury
08:10 - 800 block of Julie Ln - Public service assistance, other
09:28 - West Way at 89 Hwy - Smoke scare, odor of smoke
10:36 - 900 block of Julie Ln - Assist invalid
11:23 - 500 block of Emerald Bay Rd - Assist invalid

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The California Tahoe Conservancy (CTC) Board has authorized spending $1,036,750 to implement three high-priority projects to reduce fire risk and improve forest health in South Lake Tahoe and on the west shore.

During their meeting on Thursday, the CTC Board approved funding for projects that include:

- Spending up to $211,250 on forest thinning on Conservancy land in the South Lake Tahoe Ski Run and Bijou neighborhoods,

- A grant to the South Tahoe Public Utility District for up to $338,000 for forest thinning on the grounds of its treatment plant, and

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Jolly your way to the tippy-top of Ski Run Boulevard in your best, most festive Kris Kringle outfit on Sunday, December 15. This fun-filled jaunt from the Black Bear Lodge all the way up to the bar at Himmel Haus will benefit the local nonprofit, SOS Outreach.

Beverages and snacks will be available for purchase at the start and finish. A procession with city officer support will leave Black Bear Lodge at 3:30 p.m. A fun and lucrative raffle drawing will be during the after-party at Himmel Haus.

The AlertTahoe 11-camera system surrounding the Lake Tahoe Basin has been credited for detecting its 57th fire since first being installed in 2013.

As the Kincade Fire in Sonoma and the Easy Fire in Southern California raged, a camera in Lake Tahoe spotted a small fire on the West Shore. Fire crews were able to respond and quickly put it out.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - What do you get when you mix two angels with a comic on morning radio in Lake Tahoe? Daily cash giveaways that can turn an ordinary day into something magical.

It started on November 7, 2018. Ricky Reich, a local man who has become known as "The Angel of Tahoe's Guardian," walked into the studios of KRLT-FM on Kingsbury Grade in Stateline, Nevada. He had been listening to Howie Nave's Morning Rush shown on the station and wanted to pay homage to Lisa Maloff, the Angel of Tahoe.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The El Dorado Community Foundation played Santa Wednesday night, handing out checks for 29 different projects in the South Lake Tahoe area that help both children, education and adults.

Over $50,000 was distributed to the following groups (with funded projects listed):

Community
Kiwanis Community Organization, Inc. - Coats for Kids
Juvenile Service Council of El Dorado County - Life Skills/Job Readiness program
Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless - Coordinated Entry
Choices for Children - The Healthy Bottom Line Program

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It was Staff Recognition Day at the City Council meeting Tuesday, with employees with 20 years, 10 years, five years and new employees recognized.

20-Year Service:
Darci Prescott, Recreation
Jerry Heath, Public Works
Karl Koeppen, Fire
Shannon Laney, Police
Linda Clark, Police

15-Year Service:
Sallie Ross, Fire
Matthew Morrison, Police

10-Year Service:
Justin Keys, Fire
Jody Benavidez, Fire
Holt Cawelti, Fire
Scott Crivelli, Police

5-Year Service:

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A 39-year-old South Lake Tahoe man drowned in Lake Baron in Meyers on Thanksgiving Day.

David Schmidt was walking his dogs Cheena and Oreo along with a friend's dog at Tahoe Paradise Park. According to close friends, it appears one of the dogs fell through the ice and David went to save him. David left his keys, wallet, phone and jacket on the shore and went onto the ice when he broke through. Friends said he would be too smart to just walk onto thin ice without a good reason.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - 'Tis the season to enjoy holiday activities around the South Shore, beginning with the lighting of the Christmas trees.

Here are the tree lighting festivities for the family to enjoy over the next two weekends:

November 29

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - He has been at the helm of the City for almost a year, but Frank Rush has submitted his resignation and is headed south to take on a new position in Big Bear Lake, California.

Rush was sworn in as the City of South Lake Tahoe city manager on December 6, 2018, and will be leaving on January 24, starting in Big Bear Lake on February 3, 2020. Their City Council approved him during their meeting on Monday.

The South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue holiday engine schedule has been released. They will start their nightly runs at 5:00 p.m. and go until 8 p.m. In the case of a significant emergency or road conditions prohibit safe driving, a route may be postponed.

South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue Holiday Engine Schedule

Tuesday, Dec 10 – Tahoe Keys/Venice
Wednesday, Dec 11 – Glenwood neighborhoods
Thursday, Dec 12 – Keys Blvd / State streets
Friday, Dec 13 – Barton/Tahoe Island

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, Calif. - A 2008 Douglas High School graduate is the newest member of the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD).

Ryan Brown was sworn in by SLTPD Chief Brian Uhler in front of family, fellow officers, members of the SLT Fire Department and other staff members on Monday afternoon. He comes from the Alpine County Sheriff's Office where he spent four years as a deputy. Ryan has also been with the Nevada Air National Guard for six years.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - If weather and conditions permit, North Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Douglas fire protection districts, along with California State Parks are scheduled to continue prescribed fire operations over the next several weeks in the Tahoe Basin.

The planned burn areas:

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following are the 149 incidents the South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue and Cal-Tahoe JPA ambulances to from September 24 - October 8, 2019.

9/24

EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury - 1200 block of Margaret Ave
EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury - 800 block of Emerald Bay Rd
EMS call - Interfacility Transfer - Barton Hospital
Gas leak (natural gas or LPG) - D St at Dedi Ln
Motor vehicle/pedestrian accident (MV Ped) - SR 89 Hwy at Fallen Leaf Rd
Smoke or odor removal - 500 block o Emerald Bay Rd

A burned area assessment of the area burned by last month's Caples Fire is now underway. The Incident Commander Kevin Breitwieser has declared that the Caples Fire is now 100 percent contained and in patrol status at 3,435 acres.

There has been almost no change in fire size since October 18. The extreme wind event on October 26 that prompted a public safety power shutoff was a good test of the containment lines and resulted in three small spots that were extinguished. Traces of smoke from interior burning will continue to be visible, but no additional fire growth is expected.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Citing personal reasons, the man selected to become South Lake Tahoe's next fire chief has decided to not accept the position just five days before being sworn in.

On October 23 it was announced that Ken Harrison, a former battalion chief with the Orange County Fire Authority, had accepted the position and was preparing to move to South Lake Tahoe.

Pet food and pet supplies are being collected for those displaced and affected by the fires in Sonoma County.

There are several local drop-off locations but make sure items aren't left outside a closed business. Things left out would attract bears and other wildlife. Below is a list of times and locations:

South Lake Tahoe Fire Department
Station 1 on Ski Run & Station 3 on Lake Tahoe Blvd.
Monday thru Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Lake Valley Fire Department on Keetak St in Meyers
Monday thru Thursday 9L00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

4:00 p.m. UPDATE: Most likley it will be the rate of speed a truck driver was traveling at that caused a semi-truck carrying woodchips to overturn in South Lake Tahoe Monday morning.

The 51-year-old woman from Placerville who was at the wheel was traveling from the south on Emerald Bay Road/US50 when she attempted a right-hand turn onto Lake Tahoe Blvd./US50. The truck tipped over and the cab and woodchips slide over into the westbound lanes of Lake Tahoe Blvd.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Ken Harrison has been hired to take the helm of South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue. The former battalion chief with the Orange County Fire Authority is bringing years of experience to the lake.

The City hasn't had anyone in the permanent fire chief position since the departure of Jeff Meston retired in February of this year. Battalion Chief Jim Drennan and retired Chief Bruce Martin have shared the duties over the past eight months.