Fire Chief Message

Fire Chief Steve Leighton

Steve Leighton is the Fire Chief of the North Tahoe Fire and Meeks Bay Fire Protection Districts, serving the north and west shores of Lake Tahoe, and the communities in Alpine Meadows. Chief Leighton is a 30-year veteran of the fire service.

December 2025 Update

In November 2025, the weather around the Basin shifted from crisp autumn to early winter conditions. Daytime highs began in the mid-50s but steadily declined into the mid-40s as the month progressed. Winter storms arrived, daylight hours shortened, and the air took on a distinctly wintry feel, signaling the transition into the pre-ski-season landscape. With cooler and wetter conditions in place, local fire restrictions for the District were lifted.

During the recent federal government shutdown, several federal agencies experienced temporary disruptions, resulting in delays to permitting, grant processing, and interagency coordination. While local fire response and District operations continued without interruption, the situation underscored the importance of federal partnership in wildfire management and emergency planning. With the government now reopened, Congress has returned to work, and the House has extended its schedule through Friday to address a backlog of legislative business following the 43-day shutdown.

On the legislative front, California voters approved Proposition 50 during the November 4, 2025, Special Election, authorizing a mid-decade redistricting of the state’s congressional boundaries. Election officials are now certifying the results and preparing to implement the new maps for the 2026 congressional cycle. As we look ahead, 2026 will be an election year for several state lawmakers. Many are expected to advance legislation aligned with their long-standing priorities as they approach the end of their service in the Legislature. At the same time, Assembly members are expected to run for open Senate seats, and with Proposition 50 now approved, some senators may also pursue congressional bids.

This month, we concluded the season and bid farewell to our exceptional seasonal Defensible Space Inspectors and Chipping Crew. Throughout the summer, the District received numerous thank-you messages and positive feedback from community members recognizing their dedication and high-quality service. I am extremely proud of their contributions and sincerely appreciate the hard work and commitment they brought to our organization. Additionally, Director of Finance and Administration Kim Eason and her team have stayed busy collecting and providing information to our Auditors, who will be presenting their findings at the February 2026 board meeting.

In closing, it is an honor to serve as your Fire Chief and to support the safety and well-being of the residents and visitors of our District. I extend my sincere appreciation to our entire staff for their continued hard work and commitment to protecting our community, and I thank the Board of Directors for your steadfast support and confidence in our mission. I wish you all a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season!

All members of the North Tahoe Fire Protection District are here to serve you every hour of every day. If you have any questions regarding the District or the services we provide, please do not hesitate to email me or call me at (530) 583-6911.

Respectfully,

Steve Leighton, Fire Chief

North Tahoe Fire Protection District (NTFPD) was formed in 1993 with the consolidation of the Tahoe City Fire Department (Est. 1941) and North Tahoe Fire (Est. 1957).  NTFPD provides service via contract to the Meeks Bay Fire Protection District (2014), to the community of Alpine Meadows (2006), and provides ambulance transport for the community of Olympic Valley.

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