News
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).
Local Fire Restrictions Take Effect June 15, 2020
On Monday, June 15, 2020, CAL FIRE is suspending residential burn permits in the Tahoe Basin. This, along with the fire restrictions announced by the USFS Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit on May 28, 2020, are the triggers that prompt North Tahoe Fire Protection District (NTFPD), Meeks Bay Fire Protection District (MBFPD), and Alpine Springs CWD jurisdictions to activate local fire restrictions by suspending all solid fuel recreational fires and open burning. The suspension takes effect Monday and will remain in effect through the remainder of fire season. Subsequent to the adoption of the 2019 Fire Code, ONLY Natural Gas (NG) or Propane (LPG) outdoor firepits and barbecues, and pellet grills/smokers are allowed year-round except during Red Flag/critical fire weather conditions. All of these appliances must be utilized following manufacturer’s recommendations.
Draft Environmental Impact Report to Increase the Pace and Scale of Fuels Treatments is Available for Public Review
CALFIRE has developed a program to address long-term forest management to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire while improving forest health. Now is your chance to review the Draft Tahoe Program Timberland Environmental Impact Report! The deadline for comments is 5:00 p.m. on July 6, 2020. Go to www.ntfire.net/tahoe-pteir to learn more.
Dollar Point Community Earns National Recognition for Wildfire Preparedness
The hard work and dedication of homeowners in the Dollar Point Community was recognized by receiving the National Fire Protection Association’s designation as a Firewise USA® community. The Dollar Point Wildfire Volunteer Committee coordinated with North Tahoe Fire and the Placer County Fire Safe Alliance to complete a rigorous set of criteria required to participate in the national program.
North Tahoe Fire and Meeks Bay Fire Close Administrative Offices and Fire Stations to Public Visitation
To honor the directive of Governor Newsom and in support of efforts to minimize the spread of COVID-19, effective immediately North Tahoe Fire and Meeks Bay Fire administrative offices and critical workforce areas including fire stations are closed to public visitation until further notice. We will continue to monitor the situation and will open to the public as soon as is practical. Our team members continue to work on site and are available via email and telephone. Online services are available and are being expanded every day.
Celebrating Ten Years of Service with North Tahoe CERT, Recruiting for the Next Decade
We invite you to join us this Tuesday at our January Board of Director’s Meeting, where our CERT program and its members will be recognized for ten years of service to our community. Since 2009, this dedicated volunteer contingent has been meeting and training together, and have responded any time our community has needed them. We are recruiting new members to continue on with the accomplishments of this FEMA-certified program.