protection

Parents question safety at Sierra House Elementary after school reopens soon after fire

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A fire that destroyed a hallway, reading room and teacher's room on Sunday, November 11 was just seconds away from engulfing all of Sierra House Elementary. Had it not been for the quick response by Lake Valley Fire Protection District the discussion would be about replacing the 44-year-old South Lake Tahoe school rather than the processes involved to get it cleaned up and opened in just two days.

Decorated fire truck schedule: Lake Valley

The longstanding tradition of a decorated fire truck in South Lake Tahoe and Meyers continues again in 2018. Here is the Lake Valley Fire Protection District's holiday engine neighborhood schedule. The truck runs December 11-23, 2018.

December 11 – Echo View Estates, Tahoe Mountain Road, Mule Deer Circle
December 12 – Lake Tahoe Blvd from Boulder Mountain Drive to Grizzly Mountain Drive
December 13 – West side of North Upper Truckee from Zuni Street Highway 50, Chiapa Drive
December 14 – East side of North Upper Truckee from Grizzly Mountain to West San Bernardino Ave.

Outpouring of love by South Shore community for Camp Fire victims

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It takes a tragedy to bring people together, no matter their politics, their income or twitter handle.

Many in the South Lake Tahoe and Meyers community remember where they were at 2:15 p.m. on Sunday, June 24, 2007 and what happened in the days that followed. The Angora Fire quickly tore through neighborhoods, destroying 251 homes and burning 3,100 acres. While it seems small in comparison with the monster fires of 2017 and 2018, it took everything from so many local families.

The community came together to help their friends and neighbors.

Sierra House Elementary fire caused by power cord overload

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A fire at Sierra House Elementary School on November 11, 2018 was caused by an electrical overload due to “daisy chain wiring” of two power cords in a classroom.

When firefighters from Lake Valley Fire Protection District (LVFPD) arrived at the school at 9:35 p.m. they found smoke once the front doors were opened and flames observed as they turned the corner near the "upper pod" wing.

Dave Huber retires after 35 years of serving with Lake Valley Fire

Lake Valley Fire Protection District Director Dave Huber has retired after serving seven years as a volunteer firefighter and 28 years on their Board of Directors.

During his term as a director, Huber helped start the Cal Tahoe Emergency Services Operations Authority ambulance program where he also served as a board member.

Evacuation planning session for Golden Bear neighborhood

Event Date: 
November 14, 2018 - 5:30pm

The Golden Bear neighborhood of South Lake Tahoe will be holding an evacuation planning meeting with the Lake Valley Fire Protection District (LVFPD) on Wednesday, November 14 at 5:30 p.m. at Station 6.

Residents in the area have created a spread sheet of every home, information on the residents, how many pets and other specific issues with each home. The approached LVFPD in helping them to prepare evacuation information since there is only one entrance/exit to their area off Pioneer Trail.

Multiple agencies respond to fire at Sierra House Elementary

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.

Letter: South Lake Tahoe Chamber is concerned about pending approval of Loop Road

The following is a letter from Duane Wallace, past president of the South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce to the Tahoe Transportation District Board. He outlines the concerns their Chamber has expressed about the US 50 South Shore Community
Revitalization Project (Loop Road) EIR process and content.

"It is on the fastest track I've ever seen," he said of the Loop Road project.

Dear Chair Teshara and Commission Members,

Jewish community responds to Pittsburgh massacre

As the extent of the horror perpetrated in Pittsburgh is being recognized throughout not just Pittsburgh and the United States, but the world, shock and grief have followed in waves. But so, too, has the desire for action, for a concrete response to the worst anti-Semitic attack on American soil.

Rabbi Mordey & Shaina Richler, of Chabad at Lake Tahoe is remembering and honoring the victims locally with the “Pittsburgh Memorial Mezuzah Campaign,” geared to make sure that every Jewish home in the region has a mezuzah—a sacred handwritten parchment scroll that is mounted on the doorpost.

South Lake Tahoe house fire displaces two

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A home in South Lake Tahoe is most likely a total loss after a fire ripped through it Friday evening.

At 5:08 p.m. on November 2, South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFR) was dispatched to a home in the 1800 block of Delta Street in the Y area of town. Upon arrival they found an 800-square-foot home fully engulfed with flames.

The two residents of the house were not at home when the fire broke out.

Prescribed burns around Lake Tahoe as weather permits

California State Parks, Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District and the U.S. Forest Service will continue prescribed fire operations over the next several weeks in multiple locations around Lake Tahoe. Operations may take place near Glenbrook on the East Shore; near Heavenly Mountain Resort’s Boulder and California lodges, near Twin Peaks and in Baldwin Meadow on the South Shore; in D.L. Bliss and Burton Creek state parks and near Rubicon Estates on the West Shore; and on urban lots in Kings Beach on the North Shore.

Recreation facilities around Lake Tahoe closing for the season

Several campgrounds, day-use and picnic areas, roads and beaches on National Forest lands around Lake Tahoe are being closed up for the winter season.

Campgrounds already closed include Bayview, Fallen Leaf, Kaspian, Meeks Bay, Nevada Beach and William Kent. Day-use areas and beaches closed include Baldwin, Kaspian, Meeks Bay, Nevada Beach, Pope and William Kent.

The Tallac Historic Site closed up at the end of September though the grounds remain open.

Progress For Tahoe endorses David, Middlebrook, Wallace, Novasel, Morse and No on T

Progress for Tahoe, a grassroots group of concerned local citizens who gathered together to address the most pressing issues in Tahoe, have endorsed the following for South Lake Tahoe City Council, Measure T, El Dorado County Supervisors and U.S. Representative California District 4:

South Lake Tahoe City Council – Wendy David, Devin Middlebrook and Tamara Wallace

Letter: STPUD candidate Jim Jones - Build for future, don't steal from it

The following is a Letter to the Editor from South Tahoe Public Utility District Board Member Jim Jones, a candidate for re-election:

To the Community:

Prescribed burns around Lake Tahoe set to resume

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Weather and conditions permitting, California State Parks and the U.S. Forest Service will continue the fall prescribed fire program with operations in D.L. Bliss State Park on the West Shore tomorrow, October 23, 2018, and in Baldwin Meadow on the south end of Lake Tahoe on Wednesday, October 24. Smoke will likely be present. Both of these operations will involve understory burning, which is explained below. A map with project locations and details is available for viewing at http://www.tahoefft.org.

Column: Collaboration key to new Tahoe challenges

Warming temperatures pose major challenges for Lake Tahoe's environment, communities, and the outdoor recreation that drives its economy. Research by University of California, Davis's Tahoe Environmental Research Center, University of Nevada, Reno, and Desert Research Institute clearly shows Lake Tahoe is warming.

Tahoe Douglas Fire promotes Nathan Johnson to captain

Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District (TDFPD) has announced the promotion of Engineer Nathan Johnson to the position of captain.

Prescribed burns at two locations around Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Weather and conditions permitting, California State Parks and the U.S. Forest Service may conduct prescribed fire operations in Sugar Pine Point State Park on the West Shore and near Twin Peaks on the South Shore beginning today, October 17, 2018. Smoke will likely be present.

A) Along lakeside of Hwy 89, north of General Creek, 17 acres of understory will be burned by California State Parks. Duration of ignition and smoke production is one week with smoke expected to travel northeast.

$2.3M headed to Lake Tahoe for fire prevention projects

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.

Free “Aging and Caregiver” educational series in South Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
October 15, 2018 (All day)

The El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency, Family Caregiver Support Program is presenting a five-week long "Aging & Caregiver" educational series in South Lake Tahoe starting October 8.

The free series will be at the Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.on Mondays through November 5.

It's fall, that must mean it's time for prescribed burns around Lake Tahoe

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - Six different areas around Lake Tahoe have been slated to receive fuels treatment over the next week with some of the prescribed fires starting today, October 10.

South Lake Tahoe job fair looking for potential employers and employees

Event Date: 
October 18, 2018 - 2:00pm

Looking for that next superstar employee? Looking to be that superstar?

The Tahoe Chamber, in partnership with ADVANCE and Golden Sierra Job Training Agency, is holding the Tahoe Works Winter Job Fair on Thursday, Oct. 18 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa.

This will be the ultimate hiring event before the winter season and a great opportunity for employers to find the perfect fit for open positions.

Employers can have a booth at the fair for $75 if chamber members, $100 for non-members.

Lake Tahoe fire damages Elk Point home

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - A fire Wednesday evening caused moderate fire damage and heavy smoke damage to a home in the Elk Point area of Douglas County.

At 6:55 p.m., Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District (TDFPD) responded to the fire on Elks Lane north of Nevada Beach.

Motorized scooter riders see change of laws in California in 2019

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - On the heels of the banning of electric scooters in many cities, Governor Jerry Brown of California has signed a bill that mandates helmets for users only if they are under the age of 18 and if the scooter goes above 15 miles per hour.

The bill, authored by Republican Assemblyman Heath Flora of Ripon, was written to encourage scooter use to alleviate congestion on the state's roads and meet climate change goals of reducing car emissions.

The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2019.

Business licenses issued by City of South Lake Tahoe

The following 60 businesses took out a license to operate in South Lake Tahoe in the month of August, 2018

1 DAY BATHROOMS
3665 SPRUCE RENTALS

ACTIVE CLEAN ENERGY
ALPINE MIDWIFERY
AMAC CONSTRUCTION
AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES INC
AROS COMMUNICATIONS

BEALS STYLES
BENVENUTO SHARED HOME RENTAL
BEYOND CLEANING SERVICES
BEYOUTIFUL BROW CO.
BRIAN STEPHENS GENERAL CONTRACTOR

CATHERINES CLEANING SERVICES
CLARITY CLEANING
COMMUNITY RESOURCE PROJECT INC
COMPASS CLAY STUDIO

DAWSONS FLOOR FASHIONS
DB'S HANDYMAN SERVICE
DEVELOPMENT DATA & CONSULTING

South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue working on plans to reopen Station 2 in 2019

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - If all goes as planned, the South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue Station 2 will once again be a fire station by the end of 2019.

Since December 2015, the station has housed the Cal Tahoe JPA ambulances and staff. This move decreased response times by the paramedics and EMTs, but increased response time by South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFR) whose other two stations are at the "Y" and Ski Run Blvd.

Celebrate National Public Lands Day at Nevada Beach

Event Date: 
September 22, 2018 - 9:00am

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.

Firefest returns to South Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
September 29, 2018 - 10:00am

Fire Fest 2018 will be held on Saturday, September 29, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. outside the Hard Rock Casino Lake Tahoe. Admission is free and it's a great opportunity for families to have fun while learning about fire safety and conservation.

Helicopters will star again 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.

Lake Valley Fire Protection District seeking board member

There are two open seats for the Lake Valley Fire Protection District Board of Directors, and with only one candidate in the November 6 election, the Board is seeking nominees to fill the other vacancy.

Brian Hogan, an appointed incumbent, is the only person to file for the November 6 election. The current board is Chairperson Robert Bettencourt, Vice-Chairperson Dave Huber, Secretary John Rice and directors Leona Allen and Hogan. Huber is not seeking re-election.

Fire damages South Lake Tahoe home during dangerous red flag conditions

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Had it not been for the quick response by first responders, a fire at a South Lake Tahoe home Wednesday could have been much worse due to the dry conditions and high winds.

Lake Valley Fire Protections District (LVFPD) crews responded to a structure fire off of Lodgepole Trail. Upon arrival crews found the home in flames and additional resources were called to the scene to prevent further spread of fire to neighboring homes and vegetation.

"The cause of the fire is under investigation but appears to be accidental," said Kileigh Labrado of LVFPD.

Fire dangers prompt ban on target shooting in National Forest

Due to extremely dry vegetation and very high fire danger, recreational target shooting is prohibited in the Eldorado National Forest until at least October 9, 2018. In the Lake Tahoe Basin, it is not prohibited but they suggest those wishing to target shoot go to one of the legal ranges in Carson City or Gardnerville for safety reasons.

Forest Service to host public tour for Meeks Bay Restoration Project

Event Date: 
October 10, 2018 - 2:00pm

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) will host a public tour to announce the proposed action and public comment period for the Meeks Bay Restoration Project on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. The public tour will take place from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Meeks Bay Resort, 7941 Emerald Bay Road (Highway 89), Meeks Bay, CA 96142. The 45-day comment period begins with the publication of the Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement in the Federal Register on Tuesday, Sep. 11, 2018. Comments are most helpful if received by Friday, Oct. 26, 2018.

Flu vaccine clinics in South Lake Tahoe and West Slope

The 2018/19 flu season almost upon us and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) is recommending an annual influenza vaccination for everyone six months and older with any licensed, age-appropriate flu vaccine.

They said flu vaccines have been updated to better match circulating viruses (the B/Victoria component was changed and the influenza A(H3N2) component was updated).

Boot Fire now at 4,620 acres with evacuations and road closures, including US 395

9:30 p.m. update: The Boot Fire has grown to 4,620 acres with 0 percent containment. Evacuations and road closures continue to grow.

Downed aircraft sparks Slide Mountain fire

9/4/18 7:30 p.m. update: Firefighters have gained a containment line around 95 percent of the Slide Fire. The total land that has burned remains at 64 acres.
_ _ _

8:30 p.m. update 9/3/18: The Slide Fire that started around 2:15 p.m. Sunday is now 50 percent contained and has burned 64 acres. The fire was caused after a recreational aircraft crashed one mile southeast of the Winter Creek Lodge in the Slide Bowl area of the Mt. Rose Ski Resort.

It has been confirmed that one person died in the crash. The FAA is investigating the cause of the crash.

Lake Tahoe Wildfire Preparation Workshop open to the public

Event Date: 
September 13, 2018 - 5:30pm

Join the Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities to learn how to prepare your family and home for wildfire. In the Lake Tahoe Basin it's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when the next wildfire will occur, so now is the time to prepare.

They are holding a free workshop on September 13 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the North Tahoe Fire Protection District located at 222 Fairway Drive in Tahoe City. It is free and open to the public.

Local experts will be on hand to teach participants about:

Tahoe Douglas Fire holds 2018 Firehouse Pancake Breakfast

Event Date: 
September 1, 2018 - 8:30am

It's always fun for the whole family at the annual Firehouse Pancake Breakfast at the Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District Station on Elks Point Road in Round Hill. This year join them on Saturday, September 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for pancakes, fire station tours, fire safety games, bomb squad demonstrations, learn defensible space and much more. People can even dress like a fire fighter, take photos with the trucks and meet the fire chief.

Business licenses issued by City of South Lake Tahoe

The following 53 businesses took out a license to operate in South Lake Tahoe in the month of July, 2018.

ADA COMPLIANCE CONSULTANTS INC
ALECO ELECTRIC INC.
AMUNDSON ROOFING INC
ANDREOZZI SHARED HOME RENTAL
AROUND THE LAKE ROOFING
BE FRESH CLEANING SERVICE
BIG BLUE SPA SERVICE AND REPAIR
BRYCE CONSULTING INC
CAPITOL HELICOPTERS INC
CHRIS STINSON CONSTRUCTION
DESTINATIONS CONSULTING GROUP
DREW IN TAHOE
DZIERZAWSKI SHARED HOME RENTAL
EMMET FIXES IT
FOREST CLEANING
GARCIA SHARED HOME RENTAL
GLENN AUMEN CROWN TAXI DRIVER
GO GREEN CONSTRUCTION INC
INDIGENOUS FARMS

"A Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy" topic of next TERC talk

Event Date: 
August 30, 2018 - 5:30pm

Join UC Davis TERC in Incline Village for a special summer feature lecture on Thursday, August 30, with Jared Blumenfeld, former EPA Regional Administrator.

For Jared, walking from Mexico to Canada on the Pacific Crest Trail opened up new ways of thinking about our relationship with nature. Jared's talk will combine his amazing hiking photographs, stories of adventure and insights about the current state of environmental politics.

Fire restrictions in place at USFS locations around Lake Tahoe Basin

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.

Column: 10 years of fighting invasive species at Tahoe

This summer marks the tenth anniversary of Lake Tahoe’s Watercraft Inspection Program. Under the program, every motorized watercraft is inspected to ensure it is clean, drained, and dry and not carrying aquatic invasive species before launching at Tahoe.

$5.8M Lisa Maloff University Center celebrated with grand opening

A new chapter for Lake Tahoe Community College started Thursday, 32 years after ground broke on the South Lake Tahoe campus, moving the school from an old motel into a new home on Al Tahoe Blvd. Construction is now complete on the $5.8M Lisa Maloff University Center and the doors are open, ready to welcome students enrolled in upper division classes with Sierra Nevada College, Brandman University and Washington State.

On August 16, a groundbreaking ceremony was held to officially open the center, located adjacent to Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC).

Kingsbury Grade neighborhood shut down for explosive investigation

On Tuesday, August 14, parts of the Terrace View neighborhood off Kingsbury Grade were closed off as emergency responders investigated possible explosives at a home.

A homeowner called 911 when he found wires coming out of a hole in rocks. With all of the blasting that occurred in the granite around the lake in the past, he was unsure if the wire led to active explosives.

Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District (RDFPD) arrived to investigate, shutting down Terrace View Drive from Kingsbury Grade to Kingsbury Circle.

Swimmer rescued after getting leg stuck between rocks in Lake Tahoe

A teenager staying in South Lake Tahoe was rescued by emergency personnel on Lake Tahoe Wednesday after getting her leg stuck between boulders while swimming near Skunk Harbor, a popular area on the East Shore.

Tahoe Douglas Fire's Marine 24 assisted North Lake Tahoe Fire and Sand Harbor lifeguards in the rescue. An off-duty Reno firefighter was the first to reach the girl, according to Eric Guevin, Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District's fire marshal.

The firefighter could not get the girl free by himself and called for help. The girl's head was always above water.

November ballot filling up: Nine candidates for South Lake Tahoe City Council

This story has been updated to include Lake Tahoe Community College Board of Trustees candidates.

Nine South Lake Tahoe residents have qualified to run in November and thrown in their hats for three open seats on City Council.

The three incumbents, Mayor Wendy David, Mayor Pro Tem Tom Davis and Councilman Austin Sass will all be running for reelection. They will be joined by some veterans of local politics as well as newcomers.

#TeamTahoe focus of Lake Tahoe Summit

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.

Trees growing into navigable airspace at airport, bid accepted for removal

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.

Update: Smoke continues to come to Lake Tahoe from fires in the west

A number of fires across northern and eastern California continue to bring hazy conditions and degraded air quality to northeast California, the Sierra, and western Nevada. According to the National Weather Service in Reno, areas at greatest risk for unhealthy to very unhealthy air quality are from Sonora Pass to South Lake Tahoe and Carson City.

Column: Time is now to prepare Lake Tahoe for our changing climate

Last month, the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center released the Tahoe: State of the Lake Report, which included their finding of an average of 59.7 feet depth of water clarity for 2017, the lowest since they began taking measurements. In advance of the 2018 Lake Tahoe Summit, the following is from Darcie Goodman Collins, PhD, chief executive officer for the League to Save Lake Tahoe, on the findings:

22nd annual Lake Tahoe Summit to bring together senators, the public and agencies

Event Date: 
August 7, 2018 - 10:00am

U.S. Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) will host the 22nd Annual Lake Tahoe Summit at Sand Harbor State Park in Incline Village, Nevada on Tuesday, August 7th, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. Beach and park operations will be closed until 1:00 p.m. that day.

Lawmakers from Nevada and California will meet on the shores of Lake Tahoe to discuss how to protect a national treasure as it faces continued threats to water clarity, invasive species, wildfire and drought.

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