First responders and resilient community honored on 10th anniversary of Angora Fire

"It was so frustrating and only so much we could do," recalled Kit Bailey of the U.S. Forest Service during Saturday's Angora Fire First Responder Remembrance Ceremony. "Its miraculous nobody got hurt."

On the 10th anniversary of the devastating fire that destroyed 254 homes as it burned quickly through 3,100 acres in the Meyers area of the South Shore, fire responders gathered at the Lake Valley Fire Department to honor those who served that day, and to honor the resilient community that supported them.

"This community came together, the outreach was amazing," said Bailey as he spoke of the strength of neighbors as they faced disaster.

Bailey recalled how windy and warm June 24, 2007 was, and how all firefighters were on high alert in the Lake Tahoe Basin. He was at the Zephyr Lookout when the first stream of smoke could be seen from Meyers.

"I knew it was game on at that moment," said Bailey.

Several agencies joined in immediately and at the height of the fire 2,200 people were fighting the fire along with officers from South Lake Tahoe Police, El Dorado County Sheriff, California Highway Patrol. Law enforcement evacuated residents as the relentless flames zeroed in on the neighborhoods around North Upper Truckee Road, Tahoe Mountain and Gardner Mountain.

Many of those living in the homes lost, and those evacuated were friends and neighbors of the firefghters fighting to save their homes.

"When you deal with a fire in your own backyard with family and neighbors there is a high degree of emotion," said Bailey who was the initial attack incident commander that day. "Its different than fighting fires elsewhere."

The resilience and the strength of the community was highlighted by several of the speakers in front of the Lake Valley Fire Station.

"Thank you for all you did," said an emotional Norma Santiago who was the El Dorado County Supervisor for the South Shore that day. "A lot of people in this community came together at a tremendous time of crisis. We are all better when we come together and can achieve so much. That resiliency lives on, it exists in all of us."

That resilient community even came together for an annual 4th of July neighborhood parade on Mt. Olympia Circle.

Not only were the community and first responders highlighted, but so were the changes that have come out of the Angora Fire.

"We're in a much better place now than before," said Bailey. "Cooperation of those in the Basin is a model to follow."

Since Angora there have been collaborative efforts across the state line and between cities and counties including the formation of the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team. Defensible space efforts continue and homeowners are reminded of the importance of protecting their own homes with smart and safe landscaping and treatment of their properties.

Even though agencies and the community are better prepared, nobody wants to experience another Angora Fire.

"Hopefully we never have to come together on that scale again," said Assistant Tahoe Douglas Fire Chief Jim Antti.

Pins and certificates were handed out to the Lake Valley Fire Protection District (LVFPD) personnel on duty during Angora, and to the agencies who helped.

"My heart fills with pride and honor to stand here and look at these professional," said LVFPD Board Chairperson Robert Bettencourt. "Thank you for your hard work."

Two bells were dedicated at the ceremony and were rung two and three times. They will be rung at midnight on New Year's Eve, on Christmas morning, for community events and in the time of disaster should it ever happen again.

"We dedicate these to everyone who was here, and who will come," said LVFPD Fire Chief Tim Alameda.

Also on Saturday was an Angora Commemoration at Valhalla, attended by community members with speakers South Lake Tahoe Mayor Austin Sass, Tim Alameda, Lake Valley Fire Protection District Chief, Sue Novasel, El Dorado County Supervisor, Eli Ilano, Forest Supervisor, Tahoe National Forest, U.S. Forest Service, Chris Anthony, Cal Fire Division Chief, Kacey KC, Acting State Forester, Nevada Division of Forestry, Leona Allen, Meyers Resident, Lake Valley Fire Protection District Board Member, Kate Dargan, Bi-State Fire Commission Co-Chair, Jim Lawrence, Deputy Director Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Forest Schafer, Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team Chair and Elwood Miller, Nevada Network of Fire Adapted Communities Coordinator.