firefighters

Through the pandemic, legislative sessions in Sacramento were canceled just as they were across the country, not giving the time needed to add new legislation. As a result, in 2020 Governor Gavin Newsom signed the lowest number of laws since 1967, just 372. In comparison, in 2019 there were 870 new laws, 1016 in 2018 and 859 in 2017.

Many of the new laws are centered around COVID-19, addressing systemic racism, employee rights and policing. For a full list, select 2020 here.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The new Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Deputy Forest Supervisor Danelle D. Harrison is our guest columnist and looks back, and ahead, to the health of Lake Tahoe

Looking Back

December is a special time of year when our thoughts turn to family and friends, and communities come together to celebrate the season. It also marks the end of the year. And what a year it was. Together, we experienced unprecedented events including a record-breaking wildland fire year in the Pacific Southwest Region.

UPDATE 8:15PM: The Mountain View Fire is currently burning around the community of Walker. Due to the fast moving nature of the fire, an Evacuation Order has been issued for the Walker, Coleville and Topaz areas, and US 395 is still closed from Bridgeport to the Nevada state line. There is 0 percent containment and 5,000 acres burned according to Inci-web. Liberty Utilities has de-energized the communities of Walker and Coleville up to Topaz at the state line for safety precautions. Liberty is working with all emergency agencies and will safely restore power when possible.

I want to thank my many, many supporters for their belief in me. Withstanding the constant barrage of incorrect information and innuendo about me printed here (in Letters to the Editor) and in other sources, the repeated vandalism of my signs, the anonymous emails at the recent city council meeting that targeted me and others has been made easier by the constant encouragement I receive from our locals who know that I am the best choice for city council.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It will be hard to find someone in favor of taxes, but with them being the reason many things in this world are funded, they are accepted to some degree.

On November 3, the City of South Lake Tahoe will be asking voters for support of a one-cent local sales tax known as Measure S.

The Fork Fire west of Lake Tahoe remains at 1,752 acres and is now 34 percent contained. Low pressure off the coast will advance toward the region, bringing an increase in afternoon southwest winds across ridge tops and aligned drainages. Dry conditions will persist with slight cooling.

The front will pass over the area on Friday, driving gusty southwest and west winds with cooler temperatures and higher humidity. Little to no precipitation is expected.

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - The forest closure order for the national forests has been extended and did not expire Monday as some had hoped. Eldorado National Forest Supervisor Jeff Marsolais said fire concerns remain, especially near the Fork Fire.

At this time, the Fork Fire has burned 1,752 acres and remains at a seven percent containment line. At this time, 300 personnel are assigned to the incident.

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - Another hot and dry day at the Fork Fire today but the incoming increase in winds from the southwest are a concern to firefighters. The winds will start Sunday and could last until Tuesday. The fire is now measured at 1,736 acres and has a containment line around seven percent of the fire.

The Fork Fire continues to burn west of Lake Tahoe in the Rubicon drainage area near Loon Lake. The size has been remapped and 1,647 acres have burned and it is seven percent contained.

The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office has downgraded the mandatory evacuation order to an evacuation warning for the areas of Quintette, Stumpy Meadows and Volcanoville. This does not supersede the temporary closure order that prohibits entering or using National Forest System lands, roads and trails on the Eldorado National Forest.

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. - All campgrounds and day use areas on U.S. Forest Service land in California and the Lake Tahoe Basin must close at 5:00 p.m. Monday, September 7 due to the unprecedented and dangerous fire conditions and extreme heat, significant wind events, dry conditions, and firefighting resources that are stretched to the limit.

The USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region has announced the following temporary closures and fire restrictions to provide for public safety and reduce the potential for human caused fire starts:

MONDAY UPDATE 9:30AM: New figures for the fire were updated this morning. The Creek Fire is now at 78,790 acres with no containment. Almost 1,000 firefighters are working at the fire scene which is under gusty wind and high heat warnings Monday.

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Smoke from the fires burning north of Lake Tahoe continue to fill the area Sunday morning. The Sheep Fire near Honey Lake is 29,517 acres and 38 percent contained, the Loyalton Fire is at 98 percent containment and 47,029 acres. The North Complex burning in Lassen and Plumas forests is 61,093 acres and 37 percent contained.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Multiple new fires, mostly from last week’s lightning, are causing a drastic decrease in air quality at Lake Tahoe and throughout the state. Another inversion is expected to set up overnight Thursday, and visibility may be impaired due to smoky conditions.

The air quality in all area communities has been around the unhealthy to very unhealthy range for the past two days. As of 3:45 p.m. Thursday, the Air Quality Index in South Lake Tahoe was 195.

8:30 p.m. SUNDAY UPDATE: The Loyalton Fire which originated east of the town of Loyalton and southwest of Mount Ina Coolbrith is now estimated at 29,828 acres and 0 percent contained. It is north and east adjacent to the areas of Beckwourth Pass and Hallelujah Junction.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Every ten years a Census is taken of all people living in the Unitied States. While the state of California currently has a 64.5 percent response rate, South Lake Tahoe once again is lagging far behind.

As of August 6, 28.1 percent of those living in South Lake Tahoe had turned in answers to the Census Bureau. El Dorado County as a whole, 58.6 percent. Nationally, the Census return rate is 63.2 percent.

Why is it so hard to get South Lake Tahoe residents to participate?

Evacuations are underway after a three fires broke out north of Hallelujah Junction near US395 Sunday afternoon. The highway is currently closed in both directions from the junction with SR70 to Contantia Road.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - City Council approved unanimously at their meeting Tuesday to send what is being called the "South Lake Tahoe Fire Protection, Emergency Response, City Services Measure" to the ballot in November.

If voters approve the measure, a one-percent sales tax increase will be added in the City of South Lake Tahoe to all taxable purchases to meet funding shortfalls, according to the City.

If the 4th of July weekend is any indication, Tahoe is under pressure. As coronavirus cases grow nearly everywhere, people naturally look to the mountains, fresh air, and clear water of Tahoe as a respite. Now residents and visitors alike are struggling to adjust to the confusion around re-opening, and visitation that is normally our lifeblood is suddenly a health risk.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - During the 2007 American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe, there was the tragic devastation of the Angora Fire viewable from the tee box at No. 17. Just a few days before the fire ripped through neighborhoods, destroying 242 homes and burning 3,100 acres.

"The town rolls out the red carpet for us every year and we can't just come there and play," said former NBA great Charles Barkley of his thoughts in 2007.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) has reopened Highway 395, deeming it safe to travel. The road has been closed due to the Numbers Fire.

Crews have been working on guard rails damaged by the fire which has burned 20,000 acres and is currently 5 percent contained. Three homes and 37 outbuildings have been lost or damaged.

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.

7:00 a.m. Thursday Update: #TallacFire is contained. Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit firefighters made good progress last night with assistance from Cal Fire. Accurate mapping has fire at 2.2 acres. Hwy 89 travelers urged to use caution as firefighters continue to mop-up

9:50 p.m. Update: Firefighters are making good progress on the #TallacFire. Hose-lay is completed on left and right flanks. For the safety of firefighters, Highway 89 travelers asked to use caution in the area between Camp Richardson and Emerald Bay as multiple resources are parked on the highway.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Due to the coronavirus pandemic, blood drives have been nonexistent but they are returning to the South Shore in the coming weeks. As a bonus, all of those donations will receive a free COVID-19 antibody screening test.

The Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District is hosting a blood drive on June 30 at the Kahle Community Center's Tallac Activity Room from 11:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. To make an appointment, visit HERE.