News
North Tahoe Fire selected to participate in second phase of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Community Risk Reduction pilot program
The North Tahoe Fire Protection District has been selected by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to participate in the second phase of a pilot program to build a digital community risk assessment (CRA) tool. Aligned to NFPA 1300, Standard on Community Risk Assessment and Community Risk Reduction Plan Development, the tool, or “dashboard,” enables community leaders to gain valuable insights and make data-informed decisions around fire prevention and other risk-reduction activities in their communities.
Final PTEIR Press Release
The State supports environmentally sound fuels management activities and is committed to treating 500,000 acres a year by 2025. To support this effort, CAL FIRE prepared the Tahoe Programmatic Environmental Impact Report (PTEIR); comprehensively evaluating the effects of fuels management to improve the project approval and delivery process for projects. Working under a PTEIR allows for a more efficient environmental review of projects while still meeting the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act. The Tahoe PTEIR addresses a long-term program of forest management and fuel reduction on private, local jurisdiction, federal, and California Tahoe Conservancy lands primarily within the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) throughout the California side of the Lake Tahoe Basin. CAL FIRE commends the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team, North Tahoe Fire Protection District, Lake Valley Fire Protection District (official), and the California Tahoe Conservancy for their efforts. This project is a true milestone for the Lake Tahoe Basin. More information can be found here: https://www.ntfire.net/tahoe-pteir
Chief’s Corner – Wildfire Awareness
Tahoe City, Calif. May 4, 2021 – The month of May has historically been a time to raise awareness about the risk of wildfires, and to help residents prepare for the upcoming fire season. This year, the Basin fire agencies are leveling up the region’s preparedness efforts by introducing the Lake Tahoe Wildfire Awareness Campaign, which will run from May through October with the theme: “Is Your Home Ignition Resistant?”
NTF Appoints New Fire Chief May 2021
Tahoe City, Calif. May 6, 2021 – At its April 27, 2021 Board meeting, the Board of Directors announced the appointment of Steve Leighton as Fire Chief for the North Tahoe Fire Protection District.
The Board selected Leighton to replace retiring Chief Mike Schwartz, who served as North Tahoe’s Fire Chief since 2012. During Schwartz’s 9-year tenure with NTF, his priorities were to improve personnel, apparatus, facilities, and finances. He successfully increased staffing from 28 full-time employees to 65, while modernizing the District’s fleet and facilities. He inherited a post-recession budget of $9.6 million that he grew to just over $17 million. The District’s service area grew to include the west shore via contract for service with Meeks Bay Fire Protection District in 2014. Prior to his retirement, Schwartz renewed a 15-year agreement to continue to provide service to Alpine Meadows via contract with the Alpine Springs County Water District.
North Tahoe Fire Now Hiring – Seasonal Defensible Space Inspectors
North Tahoe Fire is currently recruiting seasonal Defensible Space Inspectors, and encourages anyone with education or experience in Natural Resources, Forest Management, or those interested in a career with the Prevention/Forest Fuels Division to apply.
North Tahoe Firefighter Deployed to Loma Linda-Murrieta to Support COVID19 Surge
Firefighters are no stranger to being deployed on 14-day assignments during disasters, and this winter, crews will don a different uniform as they report to hospitals instead of wildfires. Firefighter/Paramedic Stephanie Lockhart was the first to volunteer when North Tahoe Fire received an emergency request for assistance from Loma Linda University Medical Center-Murrieta, where ICU beds are currently at 99% capacity. Lockhart will be on assignment at the hospital working 12-hour shifts, assisting nurses and other hospital staff with patient care for the next two weeks.
Chamberlands Community Earns National Recognition for Wildfire Preparedness
Chamberlands, in the Homewood community on Lake Tahoe’s west shore, is the sixth community in North Tahoe to receive the National Fire Protection Association’s recognition as a Firewise USA® community. The Firewise USA® program teaches residents how to adapt to living in a wildfire area, and helps guide residents throughout the nation to reduce their wildfire risks.
Agate Bay Community Earns National Recognition for Wildfire Preparedness
Agate Bay is the fifth community in North Tahoe to receive the National Fire Protection Association’s recognition as a Firewise USA® community. The Firewise USA® program teaches residents how to adapt to living in a wildfire area, and helps guide residents on the most effective actions to prevent home ignitions and wildfire disasters.
Alpine Peaks Community Earns National Recognition for Wildfire Preparedness
The commitment and hard work of homeowners in the Alpine Peaks Community was recognized by receiving the National Fire Protection Association’s designation as a Firewise USA® community.
Give the Gift of Safety This Season
The commitment and hard work of homeowners in the Alpine Peaks Community was recognized by receiving the National Fire Protection Association’s designation as a Firewise USA® community.
Ending of 2020 Fire Restrictions in North Tahoe Fire and Meeks Bay Fire Protection Districts
Today CAL FIRE lifted the burn permit suspension in Placer and El Dorado Counties, and our Fire Chief lifted local restrictions for North Tahoe and Meeks Bay Fire Districts. For those with debris piles from defensible space efforts, information on obtaining a burn permit is included. The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team has begun prescribed fire operations across the Basin, click the link for a map of current fuels reduction projects.
Easing of Fire Restrictions in North Tahoe Fire and Meeks Bay Fire Protection Districts
Thanks to the arrival of moisture and higher humidity, effective today, November 10, 2020 fire agencies in the Tahoe Basin may begin easing local fire restrictions. Local fire restrictions for the North Tahoe Fire and Meeks Bay Fire Protection Districts have been revised by the Fire Chief to allow the use of firepits and charcoal barbecues. CAL FIRE has not yet lifted the burn permit suspension that is in place in Placer and El Dorado counties, and residential door yard burning is not currently allowed.
Extended: 10/25-10/27/2020 Red Flag Warning Declaration – Very High Fire Danger
The National Weather Service (NOAA) has issued a Red Flag Warning for critical fire weather conditions from 5:00 p.m. Sunday until 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 for the greater Lake Tahoe area. The Fire Chief of the North Tahoe Fire Protection District, in accordance with the California Fire Code with amendments adopted by the Boards of Directors of the North Tahoe Fire, Meeks Bay Fire and Alpine Springs CWD, has issued a Declaration prohibiting all sources of outdoor open flame within these Districts during the time period the Red Flag Warning is in effect (CF Code 307.1.1).
10/10/2020 Red Flag Warning Declaration – Very High Fire Danger
The Tahoe Basin is under Red Flag/Critical Fire Weather Warning from 1:00 p.m. today until 8:00 p.m. PDT on Saturday, October 10th, 2020. We appreciate your help in sharing the word about the high fire danger during these conditions. We need to be extremely cautious not to create any type of spark. While wood and charcoal are banned during fire season, under Red Flag Weather conditions no outdoor open flames are permitted, including gas and propane fire pits/grills or pellet grills/smokers. Thank you for helping us to spread the word to our residents and visitors. We encourage anyone who sees an illegal fire to call it in to 911 with a description of whether it is under control or not so that only the necessary resources are dispatched, and as a reminder outdoor burning of wood and charcoal are never permitted at short-term rentals in eastern Placer County.
9/17-9/18/2020 Red Flag Warning Declaration – Very High Fire Danger
The Tahoe Basin is under Red Flag/Critical Fire Weather Warning from 1:00 p.m. today until 11:00 p.m. PDT on Friday, September 18, 2020. We appreciate your help in sharing the word about the high fire danger during these conditions. We need to be extremely cautious not to create any type of spark. While wood and charcoal are banned during fire season, under Red Flag Weather conditions no outdoor open flames are permitted, including gas and propane fire pits/grills or pellet grills/smokers. Thank you for helping us to spread the word to our residents and visitors. We encourage anyone who sees an illegal fire to call it in to 911 with a description of whether it is under control or not so that only the necessary resources are dispatched, and as a reminder outdoor burning of wood and charcoal are never permitted at short-term rentals in eastern Placer County.
9/8/20 Red Flag Warning Declaration – Very High Fire Danger
The Tahoe Basin is under Red Flag/Critical Fire Weather Warning from 5AM - 8PM tonight. We appreciate your help in sharing the word about the high fire danger during these conditions. We need to be extremely cautious not to create any type of spark. While wood and charcoal are banned during fire season, under Red Flag Weather conditions no outdoor open flames are permitted, including gas and propane firepits/grills or pellet grills/smokers. Thank you for helping us to spread the word to our residents and visitors. We encourage anyone who sees an illegal fire to call it in to 911 with a description of whether it is under control or not so that only the necessary resources are dispatched, and as a reminder outdoor burning of wood and charcoal are never permitted at short-term rentals in eastern Placer County.
***NEW*** The Pacific Southwest Regional Forester has signed another Forest closure order (attached) closing backcountry areas to camping, including Luther Pass, Watson Lake and Blackwood Canyon campgrounds and camping along the Tahoe Rim Trail. Overnight camping will still be allowed in Desolation Wilderness and within 500ft of the Pacific Crest Trail on the West Shore. This closure goes into effect Sep. 8 through Sep. 14, 2020, at which time it will be re-evaluated.
As a reminder, the regional closure order, closing all developed recreation sites in the Tahoe Basin, went into effect Sep. 7, 2020, and will be re-evaluated on a daily basin. FYI, under the new Regional Emergency Fire Restrictions, propane stoves are no longer permitted on National Forest lands. Anything with a flame is prohibited on National Forest lands in the Tahoe Basin.
8/23/20-8/24/20 Red Flag Warning Declaration – Very High Fire Danger
Tahoe City, Calif. August 23, 2020 - A Red Flag Warning (Critical Fire Weather) is in effect from 8 PM Sunday to 11 AM PDT Monday for thunderstorms and strong outflow winds for northeast California, the Tahoe Basin, eastern Sierra, and far western Nevada. The main period of concern for thunderstorm potential is Sunday evening through Monday morning, with faster moving storms producing lightning and limited rainfall. All outdoor sources of open flame are BANNED during red flag conditions.
Canceled! Red Flag Warning Declaration 8/12/20
Great news! NWS Fire Weather Briefing this morning showed the Tahoe Basin did not meet the criteria for Red Flag conditions! Please use caution, it is still going to be hot and dry.
7/21-22/20 Red Flag Warning Declaration – Very High Fire Danger
Tahoe City, Calif. July 21, 2020 - The National Weather Service (NOAA) has determined that fuel moistures and atmospheric conditions warrant a Red Flag Warning (VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER) for the Lake Tahoe Basin Zone CA-272 Tuesday, July 21, 2020 from 1:00p.m. to 9:00p.m. The warning includes thunderstorms, with strong outflow winds forecast to reach 40-60 mph. With recent unusually low humidity, vegetation could be extra receptive to new lightning caused fire starts. The Fire Chief of the North Tahoe Fire Protection District, in accordance with the California Fire Code with amendments adopted by the Boards of Directors of the North Tahoe Fire, Meeks Bay Fire and Alpine Springs CWD, has issued a Declaration prohibiting all sources of outdoor open flame within these Districts during the time period the Red Flag Warning is in effect. (CF Code 307.1.1)
Red Flag Warning Declaration – Very High Fire Danger
Tahoe City, Calif. July 6, 2020 � The National Weather Service (NOAA) has determined that fuel moistures and atmospheric conditions warrant a Red Flag Warning (VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER) for the Lake Tahoe Basin Zone CA-272 on Monday, July 6, 2020 from 2:00p.m. to 9:00p.m. The Fire Chief of the North Tahoe Fire Protection District, in accordance with the California Fire Code with amendments adopted by the Boards of Directors of the North Tahoe Fire, Meeks Bay Fire and Alpine Springs CWD, has issued a Declaration prohibiting all sources of outdoor open flame within these Districts during the time period the Red Flag Warning is in effect. (CF Code 307.1.1).