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.

January 2026 Update

December 2025 in the Lake Tahoe Basin marked a transition into sustained winter conditions, following an unusually warm and dry start to the month. Temperatures cooled to seasonal norms, with daytime highs near freezing and overnight lows well below. Late-month storm systems, including strong atmospheric rivers, produced significant rain and snowfall that impacted travel on major corridors such as Interstate 80 and required chain controls and heightened caution from the California Highway Patrol. Snow accumulation improved conditions at higher elevations, and forecasts at month’s end indicated continued winter weather and beneficial water supply conditions as the Basin moves into January. Fire weather conditions nationwide, including California, remain between normal and below normal for this time of year.

Throughout the month, all District divisions focused on maintaining operational readiness while continuing to deliver consistent and effective emergency response services. Staffing, apparatus availability, and response protocols were maintained to meet community needs. Call volume remained steady with the influx of holiday visitors and increased activity at local ski areas, and personnel successfully adapted to a wide range of incident types while ensuring continuity of service across our District.

As I look back on 2025, I’m reminded it was a challenging yet rewarding year for the District, filled with meaningful progress and important achievements I’d like to share with you all. The year began with the official completion of the Meeks Bay Fire Protection District annexation process, a long-standing effort that represents a significant step forward for the District’s future. On the Prevention and Forest Fuels side, 97 acres were treated to strengthen evacuation routes along Highways 28 and 89, enhancing community safety. The District also expanded our Forest Fuel team by welcoming Community Specialist Michael Haran and launching a seasonal/part-time chipping crew to further support defensible space efforts throughout the summer, which was highly successful.

Operationally, the District made significant advancements by permanently staffing Station 52 with four personnel, renewing the CAL FIRE contract for Station 55, and strengthening emergency response capabilities through the ordering of two new Type 1 Engines and the acceptance of a new Type 6 Engine, which was celebrated with the District’s first-ever push-in ceremony. A generous donation also allowed for the acquisition of a new SCBA compressor at Station 51. In addition, the District proudly recognized the promotions of Engineers Ted Soloski, Chris Bartow, and Jeff Rau. Collectively, these accomplishments reflect the dedication, collaboration, and commitment of District personnel and the continued focus on serving our community.

In closing, it is truly an honor to serve as your Fire Chief, and I look forward to the opportunities, growth, and progress that 2026 will bring to the District. I appreciate the Board’s continued support and hope you and your families enjoyed a safe and restful 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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