fire marshall

El Dorado County unveiled their pilot plan Tuesday evening, one that is designed to help alleviate traffic congestion on Meyer's back roads during two holiday weekends this summer.

El Dorado County Department of Transportation (EDCDOT) Director Rafael Martinez joined other staff members in presenting the traffic congestion circulation alternative to the approximately 25 people in attendance. There will be a hard closure in place on Sawmill Road near Highway 50, and on North Upper Truckee near Highway 50 during the July 4th and Labor Day holiday weekends as part of a pilot project.

8:00 p.m. update 6/19:The Garson Fire west of Reno is 50% contained and has burned 141 acres. Some homes were evacuated earlier Monday in the Quilici Ranch Road but the area has since been reopened to evacuated residents. The general public is not allowed in the fire area. NV Energy restored power yesterday to almost 3,000 who were without due to the fire.

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Fire crews from around the region are responding to a brush fire that sparked near Boomtown west of Reno Sunday, according to fire officials.

1/1/17 update 3:20 p.m. - A local restaurant manager has been identified as one of the victims in the South Lake Tahoe New Year's fire that destroyed both sides of Round Hill duplex.

Joanna Janowicz, manager of Casey's, an American Cantina at the Round Hill mall, her five-year-old son and boyfriend were out to dinner when fire broke out in their home, destroying all of their belongings and killing their three pets.

Kingsbury Grade was closed for several hours Friday after a collision between a motorhome and a Nissan Pathfinder sent several victims to area hospitals and resulted in the death of one of the drivers.

At 1:30 p.m., the two vehicles collided about 1.5 miles down from the summit on the valley side of the road. One person from each vehicle had to be extricated according to Fire Marshall Eric Guevin of Tahoe Douglas Fire Department.

Care Flight landed at the bottom of Kingsbury Grade to transport the victims.

"Swim Smart, Swim Safe: know the dangers of cold water" is the message coming from agencies responsible for boating and water safety on Lake Tahoe, especially after the recent deaths in the lake of two healthy men.

Drowning incidents from boating, paddling and swimming often share the same cause, "cold water shock," an involuntary gasp reflex caused by sudden immersion in cold water. Swimmers and boaters suddenly exposed to the cold waters of Lake Tahoe may experience rapid breathing, gasping, fainting, muscle failure and immediate risk of drowning.

The South Lake Tahoe Fire Department has been unable to keep up with completing the duties of fire inspections due to reduced staff and an increased work load for the busiest fire department in the basin.

When the position of Fire Marshall was eliminated during 2011 budget cuts the tasks fell upon the fire department. SLT Fire Chief Jeff Meston said that his department currently lacks the expertise to complete the fire inspection duties.

The 7th Annual Blue Ribbon Awards ceremony was the biggest yet, with 300 people at Thursday's banquet and 175 nominations of local businesses, employees and experiences.

Here is the list of winners:

Experience Award – Sponsored by Marriott Grand Residence & Vacation Club

El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county.

The following are calls that only pertain to the South Shore.

8/7
3:21 p.m. - South Avenue: A 62 YEAR OLD FEMALE WAS TRANSPORTED TO BARTON HOSPITAL AFTER SHE ENTERED A LOCAL PET STORE ASKING FOR PARAMEDICS AND THEN COLLAPSED. LIFE SAVING MEASURES WERE ATTEMPTED WITH NEGATIVE RESULT. DUE TO THE FEMALE'S
UNEXPLAINED INJURIES SOUTH LAKE TAHOE POLICE DETECTIVE'S RESPONDED AS WELL.

4:12 p.m. - Johnson Blvd: A 47 YEAR OLD WOMAN WAS ARRESTED FOR BEING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

8/8

"It's a challenge to make sure they are all safe," said Eric Guevin, Tahoe Douglas Fire Marshall. He was commenting on the increased number of calls his department received on the the 4th of July when tens of thousands of visitors come to the Lake Tahoe basin to celebrate. When more people come to Lake Tahoe the fire department sees a large increase in service calls.

"Our rescue crews were kept busy," according to Guevin.

7:45 pm update: According to Eric Guevin, Tahoe Douglas Fire District's Fire Marshall, the cause of the fire by Kingsbury Middle School was human caused and is under investigation. Due to quick response by the Zephyr Fire Crew and Tahoe Douglas Firefighters, along with favorable weather, the fire only burned a 50' x 50' area. A resident in the area, Dr. Jeff Behar, rode his bike to the scene when he saw the smoke and found the crews distinguishing the fire and provided South Tahoe Now with photos.