SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Since 2022, the Black Bart neighborhood in South Lake Tahoe has been recognized as a Firewise Community. This area includes the streets off of Black Bart Avenue from Pioneer Trail to Meadow Crest Drive. Part of maintaining this recognition, the neighborhood Firewise team is having its annual workday on Saturday, June 13, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The committee will be hosting three tables during that time, in the three areas of the Black Bart neighborhood: 1554 Horace Greeley Avenue, 1647 Black Bart Court. and 1417 Meadow Crest Drive.
On that day, they hope you will stop by to introduce yourselves and let them share information related to defensible space. Receive brochures, sign up for free chipping and trash dumpster service, and find out how to get courtesy property inspections as well as free labor for those with limited means. Find out about getting your certificate, which may get you discounts on your fire insurance.
The volunteers will also have a small supply of paper lawn and garden bags.
Defensible space creates a vital buffer between homes and surrounding vegetation, dramatically reducing the intensity of wildfires. For an area, it halts the rapid spread of flames, protects structures from wind-blown embers and radiant heat, and provides a safe operational space for first responders.
The Firewise program was established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in order to involve homeowners in taking individual responsibility for preparing their homes against the risk of wildfire, encourage neighborhood collaboration, and provide resources to get it all done.
Recommended “to-dos”:
- Annual yard cleanup: Please make sure your roof and yard are clear of pine needles, pinecones, and branches. Limbing of trees near your roof or home and removal of flammable trees is strongly encouraged.
- During fire season, please move firewood out of the Immediate Zone (0-5 feet) and if possible, to 30 feet away from structures. Replace wood mulch against structures with something non-flammable. Put your chipping materials curbside and sign up at www.lakevalleyfire.org to have branches (not trees) chipped.
- Keep track of hours and money spent creating defensible space and email the information to us along with your street address. This info is needed to maintain Firewise recognition.
- Join the Black Bart Firewise USA Community Facebook group and provide them with your email and corresponding address! The committee would prefer to save time and money by sending updates and info via email.
- Sign up for El Dorado County emergency alerts. To find out more about Code Red, or to register your home phone, cell phone, and/or email address, go to:
ready.edso.org - Pack a “Go” bag including medicines, important documents, water, etc.
- If you have any special needs in the event of an emergency evacuation, please advise Lake Valley Fire District at 530-777-2447. Check out www.SouthTahoeEmergencyGuide.com to educate yourself more on how to prepare in case of wildfire and/or evacuations.
If you would like to be placed on the Black Bart Firewise email list and cannot attend Saturday’s event, please send an email to bbfirewise@gmail.com.