Tahoe area residents, please check in..
- Thread starter VF21
- Start date
Prophetess
Gallifrayain
Thoughts and prayers to all who are affected by this.
I've heard from Kingzrool, who lives at the other end of the lake, in Truckee. He said the smoke is getting pretty bad but otherwise they're fine at their end.
Over 200 homes have been lost and part of the problem was the residents were told NOT to remove the dead pine needles from around their homes because they (said pine needles) helped control the runoff into the lake, which in turn helped - they said - to prevent more cloudiness in the lake.
Hey, the lake's clear but your house is gone!!!
Over 200 homes have been lost and part of the problem was the residents were told NOT to remove the dead pine needles from around their homes because they (said pine needles) helped control the runoff into the lake, which in turn helped - they said - to prevent more cloudiness in the lake.
Hey, the lake's clear but your house is gone!!!
treewoman
Bench
Living in the forest - I think this is THE thing that scares us the most. I can't believe they didn't let them pick up the needles. We spend days and days weed eating and raking our property to keep it firesafe. But when the trees go like that and fire jumps I don't think all the raking in the world would help. My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected!
Most people know I live smack dab in the middle of Plumas National Forest, literally. We are already really concerned about the fire season this year. The PNF and local fire-safe councils have done a lot of fuel reduction but the danger is still there. Not raking pine needles makes no sense to me whatsoever.
My heart goes out to all those who lost their homes because of this.
EDIT: In reading the articles in this morning's Bee, it seems the Forest Service has been worried for quite a while about the area that burned. They haven't been able to do prescribed burns OR to even log some of the excess trees to make it more firesafe because of the number of homes packed tightly into the area.
The news this morning also mentioned an article in California Forest magazine which actually warned about the potential for this very kind of event in that location.
It seems that it was a "perfect storm" kind of situation. Even then, however, you cannot help but notice the homes that are still there are the ones who maintained the defensible space and took whatever precautions they needed to ensure the best chance for survival.
I'm still trying to find out more about the pine needle thing. If it was some kind of homeowner restriction, there are gonna be lawsuits...
My heart goes out to all those who lost their homes because of this.
EDIT: In reading the articles in this morning's Bee, it seems the Forest Service has been worried for quite a while about the area that burned. They haven't been able to do prescribed burns OR to even log some of the excess trees to make it more firesafe because of the number of homes packed tightly into the area.
The news this morning also mentioned an article in California Forest magazine which actually warned about the potential for this very kind of event in that location.
It seems that it was a "perfect storm" kind of situation. Even then, however, you cannot help but notice the homes that are still there are the ones who maintained the defensible space and took whatever precautions they needed to ensure the best chance for survival.
I'm still trying to find out more about the pine needle thing. If it was some kind of homeowner restriction, there are gonna be lawsuits...
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As there should be if that is the case.
We've had spotter planes flying over the forest off and on all day today. As the wind starts to pick up again, things are gonna get really scary up here.
I'm seriously hoping they will lock down all the forests and not allow campfires or any kind of outside flame at all. It looks as though they're narrowing in on the site of the start of the fire in Tahoe and it might well have been an abandoned campfire in a restricted area.
I simply do not understand how people can come to a forest in dry conditions and not realize the danger...
/end rant ... for now
I'm seriously hoping they will lock down all the forests and not allow campfires or any kind of outside flame at all. It looks as though they're narrowing in on the site of the start of the fire in Tahoe and it might well have been an abandoned campfire in a restricted area.
I simply do not understand how people can come to a forest in dry conditions and not realize the danger...
/end rant ... for now
Rockmeister
All-Star
http://www.news10.net/display_story.aspx?storyid=29590
This morning some Angora Fire evacuees were allowed to return to their homes. Some are finding their homes are still standing with none to moderate damage.
Authorities say those whose homes were destroyed should be allowed to access their properties by Thursday. An estimated 225 buildings, most of them residences have been burned.
Residents can call the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department outgoing message line at (530) 621-5866 for information on who can access their properties. The sheriff's department is also updating a list of homes and buildings that were damaged or destroyed.
Many of the burned homes are located near Mule Deer Road, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Olympia, Mt. Shasta, Clear View, View Circle, Lake Tahoe Boulevard, Mt. Diablo, Zuni Drive, Angora Creek, Shoshone, Coyote Ridge, Eagle Lane and Pyramid Circle areas.
State and local officials will hold a community meeting at 7 tonight at Lake Tahoe Community College, 1 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe. The college is also a local assistance center for those affected by the fire.
No injuries or deaths due to the fire have been reported.
Light winds out of the northeast continue to help firefighters make progress. The fire is 40 percent contained and officials have targeted Sunday, July 1 for full containment. However between now and then, all are keeping an eye on the weather when on Wednesday, stronger southerly winds are forecasted.
As of Tuesday morning, the fire has blackened 2,730 acres.
Origin of Fire
Today, fire investigators believe they have found the fire's point of origin. They say the blaze started 300 to 400 yards south of Seneca Pond. The pond is popular with runners and teenagers in the summer. It is not yet clear if the fire was caused by humans but it is known there were no lightning strikes in the area Sunday afternon when the blaze broke out.
Health Advisory
The El Dorado County health officer is recommending all outdoor gatherings and sporting events in and around the City of South Lake Tahoe be canceled until further notice. Businesses that provide non-essential services in the Y-area of South Lake Tahoe have also been asked to close voluntarily while smoke remains at hazardous levels in that part of the city.
El Dorado County Public Health Officer Dr. Jason Eberhart-Phillips said that smoke generated by the Angora Fire can pose significant risks to health.
"Residents with lung or heart disease, and the elderly are advised to leave areas where levels of particulate matter are high," said Eberhart-Phillips. "For everyone else, when you smell smoke, or see smoke around you, you should consider staying indoors and avoiding heavy exertion."
Road Closures and Detours
Southbound Highway 89 is restricted to emergency vehicles, local residents and business owners with identification and critical deliveries only. Northbound lanes only on Highway 89 are open between Emerald Bay and the junctions of 89 and 88 at Highway 50.
The Mormon Emigrant Trail is open. Detours include Interstate 80 to 267, to North Shore. Drivers can also use State Route 88 to 207 Kingston Grade.
There are also temporary flight restrictions at Lake Tahoe Airport for five nautical miles.
Evacuation Centers
A number of Lake Tahoe hotels are offering discounted rates to those displaced by the fire. Also, the following locations are serving as evacuation centers:
South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center
1180 Rufus Allen Blvd.
530-542-6056
Lake Tahoe Senior Center
3050 Lake Tahoe Blvd.
530-542-6094
South Lake Tahoe Middle School
2940 Lake Tahoe Blvd.
530-541-6404
St. Theresa's Church
1041 Lyons Avenue
530-544-3533
Animal Evacuations
News10 has received calls from homeowners worried about their pets. The El Dorado County Animal Control officers are assisting with any animal evacuations from the Angora Fire.
Animal Control officers are also patrolling the area in search of lost animals. Animals that are collected by Animal Control will be taken to the County Animal Control Shelter located at 1120 Shakori Drive, South Lake Tahoe.
Residents that have been evacuated and need information about sheltering or retrieving pets or would like to file a lost pet report, may contact El Dorado County Animal Control Shelter at (530) 577-1766. Due to a large number of calls, Animal Control is requesting that the public be patient when requesting information and/or services.
State of Emergency
Lt. Governor John Garamendi Monday morning signed a proclamation declaring a State of Emergency for El Dorado County that will provide state funding to cover the costs of fighting the Angora Fire and repairing damaged infrastructure.
The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors issued a declaration of emergency late Sunday.
Gov. Schwarzenegger has been receiving briefings since Sunday.
As of Monday evening, 22 strike teams, 10 task forces and nine helicopters are at the scene. CAL FIRE is also making California's DC 10 air tanker available to move to the region and assist in the effort.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved funds to pay up to 75 percent of the state’s eligible firefighting costs.
This morning some Angora Fire evacuees were allowed to return to their homes. Some are finding their homes are still standing with none to moderate damage.
Authorities say those whose homes were destroyed should be allowed to access their properties by Thursday. An estimated 225 buildings, most of them residences have been burned.
Residents can call the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department outgoing message line at (530) 621-5866 for information on who can access their properties. The sheriff's department is also updating a list of homes and buildings that were damaged or destroyed.
Many of the burned homes are located near Mule Deer Road, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Olympia, Mt. Shasta, Clear View, View Circle, Lake Tahoe Boulevard, Mt. Diablo, Zuni Drive, Angora Creek, Shoshone, Coyote Ridge, Eagle Lane and Pyramid Circle areas.
State and local officials will hold a community meeting at 7 tonight at Lake Tahoe Community College, 1 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe. The college is also a local assistance center for those affected by the fire.
No injuries or deaths due to the fire have been reported.
Light winds out of the northeast continue to help firefighters make progress. The fire is 40 percent contained and officials have targeted Sunday, July 1 for full containment. However between now and then, all are keeping an eye on the weather when on Wednesday, stronger southerly winds are forecasted.
As of Tuesday morning, the fire has blackened 2,730 acres.
Origin of Fire
Today, fire investigators believe they have found the fire's point of origin. They say the blaze started 300 to 400 yards south of Seneca Pond. The pond is popular with runners and teenagers in the summer. It is not yet clear if the fire was caused by humans but it is known there were no lightning strikes in the area Sunday afternon when the blaze broke out.
Health Advisory
The El Dorado County health officer is recommending all outdoor gatherings and sporting events in and around the City of South Lake Tahoe be canceled until further notice. Businesses that provide non-essential services in the Y-area of South Lake Tahoe have also been asked to close voluntarily while smoke remains at hazardous levels in that part of the city.
El Dorado County Public Health Officer Dr. Jason Eberhart-Phillips said that smoke generated by the Angora Fire can pose significant risks to health.
"Residents with lung or heart disease, and the elderly are advised to leave areas where levels of particulate matter are high," said Eberhart-Phillips. "For everyone else, when you smell smoke, or see smoke around you, you should consider staying indoors and avoiding heavy exertion."
Road Closures and Detours
Southbound Highway 89 is restricted to emergency vehicles, local residents and business owners with identification and critical deliveries only. Northbound lanes only on Highway 89 are open between Emerald Bay and the junctions of 89 and 88 at Highway 50.
The Mormon Emigrant Trail is open. Detours include Interstate 80 to 267, to North Shore. Drivers can also use State Route 88 to 207 Kingston Grade.
There are also temporary flight restrictions at Lake Tahoe Airport for five nautical miles.
Evacuation Centers
A number of Lake Tahoe hotels are offering discounted rates to those displaced by the fire. Also, the following locations are serving as evacuation centers:
South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center
1180 Rufus Allen Blvd.
530-542-6056
Lake Tahoe Senior Center
3050 Lake Tahoe Blvd.
530-542-6094
South Lake Tahoe Middle School
2940 Lake Tahoe Blvd.
530-541-6404
St. Theresa's Church
1041 Lyons Avenue
530-544-3533
Animal Evacuations
News10 has received calls from homeowners worried about their pets. The El Dorado County Animal Control officers are assisting with any animal evacuations from the Angora Fire.
Animal Control officers are also patrolling the area in search of lost animals. Animals that are collected by Animal Control will be taken to the County Animal Control Shelter located at 1120 Shakori Drive, South Lake Tahoe.
Residents that have been evacuated and need information about sheltering or retrieving pets or would like to file a lost pet report, may contact El Dorado County Animal Control Shelter at (530) 577-1766. Due to a large number of calls, Animal Control is requesting that the public be patient when requesting information and/or services.
State of Emergency
Lt. Governor John Garamendi Monday morning signed a proclamation declaring a State of Emergency for El Dorado County that will provide state funding to cover the costs of fighting the Angora Fire and repairing damaged infrastructure.
The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors issued a declaration of emergency late Sunday.
Gov. Schwarzenegger has been receiving briefings since Sunday.
As of Monday evening, 22 strike teams, 10 task forces and nine helicopters are at the scene. CAL FIRE is also making California's DC 10 air tanker available to move to the region and assist in the effort.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved funds to pay up to 75 percent of the state’s eligible firefighting costs.
Update: Reports are coming in that indicate the fire was most likely caused by an illegal campfire.
Over 250 homes lost, close to 3,200 acres burned and who knows the toil of impact yet to be measured? All because some people thought the rules on campfires didn't apply to them.
Blech. (I'd like to say something much, much stronger but this is a family-friendly board so I'll resist.)
But I will remind everyone to please be careful if you go camping this weekend. Our forests are tinder dry and the worst case scenario is unthinkable. Please be fire safe. The home you save may be mine.
Over 250 homes lost, close to 3,200 acres burned and who knows the toil of impact yet to be measured? All because some people thought the rules on campfires didn't apply to them.
Blech. (I'd like to say something much, much stronger but this is a family-friendly board so I'll resist.)
But I will remind everyone to please be careful if you go camping this weekend. Our forests are tinder dry and the worst case scenario is unthinkable. Please be fire safe. The home you save may be mine.
kennadog
Dog On It!
You know what I also hate? Fires started by people throwing their cigarettes away. Use a freakin' ashtray! And there are a ton of those.
I was driving down the road one day in summer with my windows open and somebody in the lane next to me threw their butt out the window. It flew into the back seat of my car! I got off the highway and dug out the smoldering cigarette. I cannot put my language here. 
I was driving down the road one day in summer with my windows open and somebody in the lane next to me threw their butt out the window. It flew into the back seat of my car!
I got off the highway and dug out the smoldering cigarette. I cannot put my language here. 
