fire protection

Lake Tahoe basin seeing smoke from controlled burns

The Lake Valley Fire Protection District, California State Parks, Nevada Division of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service will continue prescribed fire operations near Sugar Pine Point State Park, Pioneer Trail and Washoan Boulevard, Ski Run Boulevard near Heavenly, Luther Pass, Spooner Summit, and Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park in Slaughterhouse Canyon. Operations will last through the next several weeks as conditions allow.

The following is a list of burn areas and how many acres are being burned.

Project Sunset at Washoan and Pioneer Trail - 12 acres

More controlled burns around Lake Tahoe next week

California State Parks, North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District and the U.S. Forest Service will continue prescribed fire operations near Incline Village, Tahoma, Meeks Bay, Sugar Pine Point State Park, Tahoe Mountain and Heavenly urban lot areas.

There will be 87 acres of hand piles burned at Sugar Pine State Park, 30-40 acres of hand piles around the North Shore, 122 acres at Meeks Bay, 40 acres around Heavenly Valley and 123 acres on Tahoe Mountain.

Operations will last through the next several weeks as conditions allow.

Fire operations continuing on the South Shore as weather permits

Favorable conditions are giving the Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District and the U.S. Forest Service more opportunities to burn piles around Van Sickle Bi-State Park, Heavenly urban lots and McKinney Rubicon area.

With cooler temperatures and some precipitation, this time of year is perfect for prescribed burning.

Letter: NDOT thanks community for patience during Kingsbury Grade project

As we at the Nevada Department of Transportation and Q&D Construction substantially complete the Kingsbury Grade Pavement Reconstruction Project this week, we want to thank local community members and businesses for their understanding and support.

Originally scheduled to continue through next summer, the project has substantially completed this week; one season ahead of the original schedule. Completing this important project ahead of schedule could not have been accomplished without the understanding of the entire community.

South Lake Tahoe's Blue Ribbon Award winners announced

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

Lake Tahoe agencies to hold prescribed fire open house

Event Date: 
November 12, 2014 - 5:00pm

Learn about prescribed burns at a South Lake Tahoe open house hosted by the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team. Team members will be on hand to answer questions about how the agencies plan and implement prescribed fire in the Lake Tahoe basin.

The Open House will be held on Wednesday, November 12, 2014, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Forest Supervisor’s office at 35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, Calif. Participating agencies include the Forest Service, CAL FIRE, Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, and Tahoe Douglas and Lake Valley fire protection districts.

Final Douglas County Election Results

Douglas County has now counted 100% of the ballots for Tuesday's election.

State Senate 17 Senatorial District
REP - SETTELMEYER, JAMES A. 15,301 100.00%

State Assembly Dist. 39
IAP - GIORDANO, AL 3,716 22.33%
REP - WHEELER, JIM 12,924 77.67%

County Assessor
DOUGLAS W. ''DOUG'' 15,195 100.00%

County Clerk/Treasurer
REP - THRAN, TED 14,966 100.00%

County Commissioner District 2
REP - THALER, STEVEN 14,585 100.00%

County Commissioner District 4
REP - MCDERMID, NANCY 14,156 100.00%

District Attorney

South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County Election Results

100% of the ballots from polling locations have now been counted in the El Dorado County and City of South Lake Tahoe elections. The following is the result pending some absentee ballots that still need to be counted.

County Supervisor Area 5

Sue Novasel - 59.92% 3529 votes
Kenny Curtzwiler - 39.58% 2331 votes

City of South Lake Tahoe City Council
Top 3 win a seat

Wendy David 18.00% 1205 votes
Tom Davis 15.56% 1042 votes

Over 300 acres to be burned from Van Sickle Park to North Shore starting Sunday

Smoke will be visible from various locations around the lake due to prescribed burns of underbrush and wood piles starting Sunday.

The North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, the Nevada Division of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service will conduct prescribed fire operations in the Incline Village, Ponderosa Ranch, Tunnel Creek trailhead areas and on scattered urban lots around the Lake Tahoe Basin beginning, Sunday, November 2, 2014, and continuing as conditions allow.

Letter: Measure F will provide new pathways

I’ve lived in South Lake Tahoe for 22 years, and I’m the Dean of Career & Technical Education and Instruction at Lake Tahoe Community College. I'd like to share a few stories about students I’ve known through my work at LTCC, and how Measure F will provide new pathways to create many more great stories like these – stories about young people whose lives were changed because of the programs and opportunities available through our local community college.

Opinion: Is Meyers a community willing to work together?

After witnessing the Tahoe Paradise Resort Improvement District (TPRID) meeting last week I starting thinking how the residents of Meyers and Tahoe Paradise could be better served.

What happened at the TPRID meeting was a sad display of a board in action. There was yelling, arguing and, what one person witnessing everything said, “don’t air your dirty laundry in a meeting like this.”

Basin agencies working together for wildfire protection

September brought the reality of wildfires to the forefront in the Lake Tahoe Basin. The King Fire came within eight air miles of the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit boundary, and as we all anxiously awaited its containment, the Cascade Fire broke out in the Desolation Wilderness.

Free wood chipping day for South Lake Tahoe residents

Event Date: 
October 18, 2014 (All day)

The Lake Valley Fire Protection District's Wildfire Prevention Program has organized a FREE chipping day for City of South Lake Tahoe residents on October 18. With the help of the California Conservation Corp and cooperation from South Lake Tahoe Fire Department, residents can get help with defensible space and slash removal.

In order to participate in the chipping service, homeowners must follow these guidelines:
• Place slash and brush piles adjacent to a driveway or street so the chipper crew can readily have access.

USFS lifts fire restrictions on some National Forest lands

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit will lift fire restrictions on National Forest System lands beginning Friday, October 3, 2014.

“Although fire restrictions will be lifted on Friday, remember campfires are never allowed in the Desolation Wilderness,” said Forest Service fire management officer Kit Bailey.

Firefighters have put a line around 89% of the King Fire

9/28/14 10:00 p.m. update: 4,420 firefighters and support staff are still on the scene of the 97.099 acre King Fire which is now 89% contained.

After 4 days of precipitation with accumulations of 1-3 inches, fire spread has been halted, however heat remains in the heavier fuels and in the heavy duff sheltered from the rain under the dense timber canopy. As the weather turns warm and dry over the next several days, expect to see an increase in fire activity and smoke production; however spread potential is extremely low, doe to the successful suppression efforts.

Update: Kingsbury Grade Fire

Update 9-14-14 12:00 p.m. - The outside deck of a home located at 111 Tramway caught fire Saturday evening, causing the closure of Kingsbury Grade. The two alarm fire moved onto the home's siding and was extinguished by a Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District engine company.

The cause of the fire is under investigation but it may be related to construction activity at the home.

Original Story:

Lake Valley Fire Department gets $26,000 grant for forest health in Meyers

The Lake Valley Fire Department was given a $26,000 grant to clear brush and hazard trees from a 6.5 acre parcel in Meyers. The grant was given by the Forest Service to help reduce the risk of wildfire in Meyers.

The parcel is owned by the California Tahoe Conservancy across from the Tahoe Pine Campground.

Agencies and public work together to keep Lake Tahoe beaches clean

The Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority would like to thank all of our community members, visitors, businesses and agencies who have helped keep our Lake Tahoe beaches clean throughout a busy summer season. Debris on Lake Tahoe’s beaches affects everyone’s enjoyment of the lake, and trash and debris on the beaches and streets can easily find its way to the lake and adversely impact lake clarity, water quality and wildlife.

Children's Environmental Science Day

Event Date: 
August 9, 2014 - 1:00pm

Children and their families are invited by U.C. Davis to visit their Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences on Saturday, August 9 for a day of hand's on activities.

The 15th annual event is free and sponsored by the Tahoe Environmental Research Center. Children's Environmental Science Day includes more than 30 interactive science activities hosted by local organizations, all aimed at children ages 6 and up.

Fire Chief Ben Sharit named LTCC Distinguished Alumni

Lake Tahoe Community College has selected Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District Chief Ben Sharit as its Distinguished Alumni Award winner for 2014.

Forest Service and South Lake Tahoe Police Urge Safety for 4th of July

The busy 4th of July holiday is just a week away, and with Lake Tahoe's increased crowds, excess traffic, fireworks and dry conditions, the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) are asking everyone to use caution.

Grand Jury Report Released for El Dorado County: "Thread of Dysfunction"

The El Dorado County Grand Jury has released their final report for the 2013-14 year and several South Lake Tahoe situations have been brought to light.

According to Jury Foreman Neil Cunningham, the jury compiled 20 reports and recommendations which were created as they followed up on inquiries from citizens and Grand Jury required inspections.

Inaugural Wildfire Safety Expo to be Held in South Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
June 21, 2014 - 12:00pm

Several agencies are coming together on Saturday, June 21st for the first Wildfire Safety Expo in South Lake Tahoe.

The threat of wildfire is extremely high this fire season due to record drought conditions in the West. To provide information on creating home evacuation plans, preparing for fire, creating defensible space, the expo has been created.

The expo will be held in the TJ Maxx parking lot from noon to 3 p.m.

Tahoe Bike Challenge Starts on Saturday

Join hundreds of your friends, neighbors, co-workers during the 2014 Tahoe Bike Challenge, an annual event that encourages Lake Tahoe residents to get out of their cars and onto bikes.

The event starts off on Saturday with a Bike Trail Clean Up Day. Anyone can join them at three locations after signing up,and lunch is even included. Meet at Sierra Nevada Alliance at 2311 Lake Tahoe Blvd, Los Angeles and Hwy 50 by the fire station or behind Clean Tahoe, 2074 Lake Tahoe Blvd. Lunch will be served after the clean up day at the League to Save Lake Tahoe.

Tahoe Tree Cutting Permit Process Streamlined By TRPA

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) announced the launch of a new online tree removal permit application and credit card payment system that can be accessed through their website at trpa.org.

“The new online service is more customer friendly and is in line with the Agency’s core values of improving operational efficiency while providing a high-level of customer service,” said TRPA Executive Director, Joanne S. Marchetta.

TRPA Honors Retiring Fire Chiefs During Wildfire Awareness Month

May was deemed Wildfire Awareness Month in the basin by Lake Tahoe fire agencies.

Wildfire Prevention Community Clean Up at Temple Bat Yam

In order to create defensible apace from wildfires, members of Temple Bat Yam, Lake Valley Fire Protection District and the South Lake Tahoe Fire Department held a community clean-up day for the property around the synagogue on May 18, 2014.

The collaborative effort is an example of working together to produce Fire Adapted Communities, which are communities located in fire-prone areas that require little assistance from firefighters during a wildfire.

If you're interested in scheduling a Wildfire Prevention effort in your neighborhood, call the SLTFD at 530-542-6160.

"Compost Your Combustibles 2014" Takes Place at Heavenly's Boulder Parking Lot

Event Date: 
May 24, 2014 - 9:00am

Free Drop Off of Combustibles For Nevada Residents

Clear out the combustibles from your yard and drop them off for free at the kickoff event being held for “Compost Your Combustibles 2014” at
Heavenly Boulder parking lot this Saturday, May 24th in recognition of Wildfire Awareness Month.” Drop off days will be held through the first Saturday in August.

Rake and remove pine needles and yard combustible waste to prepare your home in the case of wildfire.

Waterline Project in the State Streets Area of South Lake Tahoe; Tahoe Keys Traffic Impacts

Construction has begun on the 2014 State Streets Waterline Replacement Project.

This project will improve water quality, quantity, pressures and, most importantly, will enhance firefighting capability in the State Streets neighborhood. The project will consist of installation of a 12” main on Tahoe Keys Blvd. and 6” mains on Idaho Ave., Wyoming Ave., Montana Ave., Utah Ave., Colorado Ave., Arizona Ave., Texas Ave., and Jeffery St. In addition to the water mains, fire hydrants will be installed at approximately 500 foot intervals to provide better fire protection.

South Lake Tahoe Community Input Sought for Wildfire Protection Plan

Living in a forest gives great benefits, but it also carries with it the risk of forest fires.

A Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) for South Lake Tahoe is being developed jointly by the South Lake Tahoe Fire Department and Lake Valley Fire Protection District.

The community is being asked to complete a survey which will help the agencies prepare the CWPP. This will enable the creation of a plan on how the south shore will reduce it's risk of wildfire by identifying strategic sites and methods for fuel reduction projects.

Tahoe Douglas Fire Honors Firefighters and Staff

The Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District recently held a recognition and promotional ceremony at MontBleu Resort.

Fourteen firefighters were recognized with service awards, including 20 year veterans Battalion Chief Jim Antti and Captain Chuck Salerno.

“Fire Chief Ben Sharit challenged 20 new firefighters and staff members to continue the important work we do every day in our community,” says Eric Guevin, Fire Marshal spokesperson for the Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District.

Supervisor Candidate Sue Novasel: "The economy is our #1 issue"

South Tahoe Now sent a questionnaire out to all of the candidates for El Dorado County Supervisor. We will be posting them in the order received.

1)What do you see as the Number 1 issue facing residents of District 5?

May is Wildfire Awareness Month

With record drought conditions in the West, preparing your home for
wildfire is more important than ever. May has been designated “Wildfire Awareness Month” in the Lake Tahoe Basin. This year’s theme is “Prepare Your Home For Wildfire” with a focus on creating and sustaining Fire Adapted Communities.

A Fire Adapted Community (FAC) is a community located in a fire-prone area that requires little assistance from firefighters during a wildfire. Residents of these communities accept responsibility for living in a high fire-hazard area. They possess the knowledge and skills to:

South Lake Tahoe Business EXPO on Friday

A record-breaking 100 businesses will participate in the 2014 Business EXPO –“Tahoe South in ACTION” this Friday, March 28. The event begins at 4:30pm and continues until 8:30pm in Harrah’s Lake Tahoe Convention Center. It will highlight South Shore businesses’ goods and services to an anticipated crowd of 1,200 attendees.

The following vendors will exhibit:

A Hand at Home
Acker RV Rentals
Alpine Smith Snow Removal and Driveway Sealing
American Legion Post 795
Bank of the West
Barton Memorial Hospital
Beach Hut Deli
Beach Retreat and Lodge Tahoe

Local Leaders Hail House Introduction of Lake Tahoe Restoration Act

The reauthorization of the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act was introduced yesterday in the U.S. House of Representatives, following the Senate’s introduction of the bill in August.

Lake Tahoe Basin Fire Chiefs Hail Governors' Proclamation

The, members of the fire-based Multi-Agency Coordinating Group (MAC) and the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT), expressed appreciation for the joint Proclamation issued by the Governors of Nevada and California prior to the 17th annual Lake Tahoe Summit held in August.

LTCC Mourns Unexpected Death of Tahoe Firefighter, Former Instructor

Lake Tahoe Community College joins the Lake Valley Fire Protection District in mourning the unexpected loss of firefighter paramedic Brandon “Mitch” Underhill. The 34-year-old, known as Mitch, died Sunday, September 29th.

Underhill has been an instructor at LTCC as part of the Lake Tahoe Basin Fire Academy since 2009. He joined the Lake Valley Fire District in 2005, and served the community for just over 8 years in that capacity. He is survived by his wife, two young children, his parents, and his brother and sister.

News from The Ski Bum

Miss me? I have been working for the last year on The Children’s Memorial Tree and I would like to take this opportunity to say Thank You to the community of South Lake Tahoe for their support in rebuilding the memorial. I wanted to keep the Skibum as well as my alter ego out of the publicity due to the fact that there would be resistance to the idea from those that do not always agree with my views and I wanted no distractions. We had to play good cop / bad cop with the city in order to push the memorial through and guess which role I played.

Forest Service Lifts Fire Restrictions in Lake Tahoe Basin

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit will lift fire restrictions on National Forest System lands beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, September 24, 2013. “The arrival of cooler, wetter weather brings safer conditions and has allowed us to lift restrictions on Forest Service managed lands,” said Forest Service fire chief Kit Bailey. “Even though restrictions will be lifted, we still need hikers and campers to use caution with campfires, stoves, barbecue grills and cigarette smoking.”

Firefighters snuff attic blaze at Emerald Bay Road restaurant

South Lake Tahoe firefighters were able to contain a fire in the attic of Lake Tahoe Pizza Co., in the 1100 block of Emerald Bay Road on Monday night.

The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time, said South Lake Tahoe Fire Department Shift Commander Rob Hembree in a news release. No injuries were reported.

The fire department responded at 11:09 p.m. Other responding agencies were the Lake Valley Fire Protection District, CalFire and Tahoe Douglas Protection District.

Lake Tahoe leaders applaud restoration bill

Lake Tahoe organizations whose collaborative work over the past 15 years has been a driving force for advancing Lake Tahoe restoration efforts applauded congressional leaders Thursday for introducing a $415 million reauthorization of the federal Lake Tahoe Restoration Act.

14th Annual Children’s Environmental Science Day

Event Date: 
August 10, 2013 (All day)

Children are invited to spend the day with scientists on Saturday, August 10, learning about the unique ecology, function, restoration and preservation of Lake Tahoe. Children’s Environmental Science Day will be held at the Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences in Incline Village.

Lake Valley, South Lake Tahoe firefighters to hold fundraiser Sunday for fallen Granite Mountain Hotshot crew

Lake Valley Fire Protection District and South Lake Tahoe Fire Department are joining efforts in a “Fill the Boot” style fundraiser for the 19 Firefighters from the Granite Mountain Hotshots who perished in the Arizona fires. The fundraiser will be held this Sunday, July 7, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Highway 50 near the Bug Station in Meyers.

A benefit has been formed by the Prescott Fire Department and 100 percent of the funds collected in South Lake Tahoe will be donated towards to families of the 19 firefighters who lost their lives in the Arizona fires.

Kingsbury Grade now open for traffic; cause of fire under investigation

UPDATE 8:02PM: State Route 207 Kingsbury Grade is now open to motorists with controls. Please use caution around firefighters and equipment that remain working the fire.

Fire personnel will remain on scene to gain further containment of this fire. The cause of this fire is still under investigation.

***
UPDATE: 7:17PM: Around 200 firefighters remain on scene tonight on the Kings fire on the Carson Valley side of Kingsbury Grade near Lake Tahoe. The fire is approximately 4 to 5 acres in size, Douglas County authorities report. Containment is estimated by 8 p.m.

Wildfire Awareness Week kick-off May 25 at MontBleu

Lake Tahoe fire protection agencies all agree: defensible space isn’t a bunch of hot air. To back up the importance of defensible space, they’re organizing a free Wildfire Awareness Week kick-off event that includes free tethered Smokey Bear hot air balloon rides (weather permitting), firefighter photo opportunities, a pancake breakfast and more on Saturday, May 25th from 8am – 12pm outside MontBleu Resort Casino and Spa.

El Dorado supervisors honor kayaker for rescue effort

The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors honored Mark Divittorio for helping to rescue a family last month when their car plunged into the South Fork of the American River.

On Thursday, April 4 the Lemler family was traveling along Highway 50 when their vehicle left the roadway and ended up submerged and on its side in the American River. The three young daughters managed to escape to the roof of the vehicle. Mr. Lemler remained trapped inside the vehicle while Mrs. Lemler worked to keep his head above the water.

Police sketches past time of South Shore Lake Tahoe firefighter

In a world of aerial drones, stun guns and surveillance cameras, an electric eraser doesn’t seem like much of a crime-fighting tool.

For Leona Allen, a spokeswoman for Lake Valley Fire Protection District and certified composite sketch artist, the handheld device is a cherished part of a crime-fighting kit that includes pencils, a blending stump and a sketch pad.

Go here to read the full story.

TRPA announces 2012 Best in the Basin Award winners

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency on Thursday announced the 2012 Best in the Basin award winners and will recognize the recipients March 27 at the TRPA governing board meeting.

This is the 23rd year for the program that recognizes Lake Tahoe area projects for demonstrating exceptional planning, design, and compatibility with the Lake Tahoe environment. Local professionals in the fields of landscaping, planning, engineering, water quality, and resource management judged each category. A reception for all Best in Basin winners and judges will follow the awards ceremony.

No injuries after house fire near Meyers

Other than a puppy that suffered from smoke inhalation, no one was injured after a house fire started at 1601 Estate Court, South Lake Tahoe on Wednesday. Lake Valley Fire Protection District Fi...

Tahoe Douglas hires new fire inspector

Sylvia Lee has been hired as Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District's new fire inspector.Lee has relocated from Las Vegas, where she was previously the entertainment coordinator for the Bellagio. F...

Syndicate content