Contact: Jamie Roice-Gomes, University of Nevada, Reno Extension’s Living With Fire Program, 775-336-0261 or
LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – This May marks the start of Wildfire Awareness Month, the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team announced today. The collaboration is leveling up the region’s wildfire preparedness efforts by kicking off the Lake Tahoe Wildfire Awareness Campaign. The campaign includes many events and will run from May through October, highlighting the message: “Get Defensive – Create Defensible Space.”
“This year’s theme is a fun way to say that the best offense is a strong defense and to be proactive when it comes to maintaining a home that has proper defensible space,” says Tia Rancourt, public information officer for the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District.
Ways that homeowners can do their part to “Get Defensive” include: registering for a defensible space inspection and chipping services through your local fire agency, hardening your home to reduce the risk of ember ignition, becoming a Fire Adapted Community Leader and connect with your neighbors to encourage community projects and working with your local fire agency. To learn more, visit www.TahoeLivingWithFire.org
Another way to increase wildfire preparedness efforts is to register for emergency alerts. Emergency notification systems are used by county emergency managers to send a prepared message via text, email, or telephone to people in the affected area. Most systems will allow users to enter multiple forms of contact information, such as home phone number, cell phone, work phone and email address. To register, visit the link for your county:
- Placer County: placer-alert.org
- El Dorado County: edso.org
- Douglas County: onthealert.com
- Washoe County: us/em/RegionalAlerts.php
The Lake Tahoe Wildfire Awareness Campaign includes many events occurring around the Tahoe Basin:
- May 14, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.: Wildfire Mitigation and Prevention for HOA’s & Property Managers. Learn about CodeRED, HOA insurance challenges, defensible space, home hardening, Fire Adapted Communities/FireWise and more. Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/6075678907?pwd=VEhlbnE5ZExZeU5NdT E1TkxDRmVBQT09&omn=86296452533 .
- May 16, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.: What’s Happening on the North Shore – EIP Webinar. Learn about watersheds, forest health, transportation & sustainable recreation, and science and stewardship. Register at: bit.ly/NorthTahoeEIP.
- May 18, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Wildfire Safety Expo at South Tahoe Middle School. Attend this free, family-friendly event to visit with agencies and to learn how to prepare for wildfire.
- June 1, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Community Wildfire Preparedness Workshop at North Tahoe Event Center. Learn about home hardening, defensible space, prescribed fire, Firewise® and more! Snacks available, and registration is recommended: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/3XuJG9b
For information and resources to help prepare for wildfire, or to locate your local fire district, visit www.tahoelivingwithfire.org and follow @tahoelwf on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
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