SUMMER SAFETY REMINDERS FROM THE NORTH LAKE TAHOE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

Summer is in full gear and the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District wants to help you lower the risk of wildfires in our community and, your home.

Chipping & Defensible Space Inspections:

Sign up for your FREE Defensible Space Inspection and take advantage of our Chipping Service. Both services are free! Service requests are addressed on a first-come, first-served basis so sign up today!

To sign up for a Defensible Space Inspection visit https://www.defensiblespacereport.org/northlaketahoe.

To sign up for Chipping Service visit https://reserve.chipperday.com/northlaketahoe. Take advantage of Waste Management’s Residential Curbside yard Debris Recycling Program. The next collection will be September 10 – November 1, 2024

Safeguard your home from potential wildfires and learn more about what you can do to protect your home, for example, home hardening. Discover what you can do to retrofit existing components of your home to withstand fire.

Evacuation:

In the event of an evacuation or other type of disaster, how do you stay informed? For Washoe County residents, please sign up for CodeRED. Remember to Make a plan, Assemble a Kit, and Stay informed. Learn more about what to expect in an evacuation. The Washoe County Emergency Management team put together an informative Evacuation Video that outlines the sequence of events in an evacuation:

1. First responders (fire or law enforcement) determine public threats.
2. Evacuation area is based on several details such as speed of threat, likelihood of impact to an area, population of area etc.
3. Request is sent to Emergency Management for an Evacuation Alert.
4. Evacuation point is identified – Emergency Management works with Emergency Shelter Council to identify an evacuation point or shelter location. Once the location is decided it is populated on the Perimeter map www.perimetermap.com/washoe.
5. Evacuation alerts are sent via alerting software. Alerts are sent through several ways including wireless emergency alerts, cell towers to cell phones, emergency alerting system (EAS) to radios and television, reverse dial to landlines, emails, TTD, and social media.
6. Alerts and information can always be found at www.perimetermap.com/washoe or, www.emergencywashoe.com. Alerts will include information such as type of threat, directions, where to go, how to find information and to link to www.perimermap.com which will show information on evacuation areas, routes, road closures, and where you are in relation to all of those things.
7. Factors in selecting an evacuation area include: the size and population density of an area, local events, the number of roads in and out of the area, and the speed of the threat towards the area.
8. Phase evacuation to avoid traffic – first responders will attempt to evacuate areas in phases to avoid traffic issues and secondary emergencies.
9. Expect to see various first responders and supportive agencies during an evacuation event.

Practice your personal preparedness evacuation plans and drills. For more information or a template on how to build your plan, please visit www.washoeready.com.

Summer Fire Restrictions:

Our summer fire restrictions are still in effect for Incline Village and Crystal Bay, NV. Recreational fires (wood or charcoal fire within a non-combustible container with a 1/8” mesh screen) are still allowed with a permit.

Please note, however, that recreational fires are not permissible on short-term rental properties. Visit www.nltfpd.org/outdoor-burning for more information.

Barbeque grilling (natural gas, propane, charcoal) is still allowed. All grilling appliances shall be used within the manufacturer’s guidelines and recommendations. This also includes smokers and pellet stoves.

Follow these simple safety tips when using solid-fuel, charcoal, or propane grills.

• Propane, charcoal, and other solid-fuel grills should only be used outdoors.
• The grill should be placed far away from the home, deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.
• Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
• Never leave your grill unattended.
• Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it.

Charcoal Grills:

• Charcoal grills are prohibited on combustible surfaces.
• There are several ways to get the charcoal ready to use. Charcoal chimney starters allow you to start the charcoal using newspaper as a fuel.
• If you use a starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire.

• Keep charcoal fluid out of the reach of children and away from heat sources.
• There are also electric charcoal starters, which do not use fire. Be sure to use an extension cord for outdoor use.
• When you are finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing in a metal container. Contact the Fire District for a free ash can (residents will need to have some type of wood-burning heating appliance to be considered for the program). To obtain a free ash can, residents may fill out an application at the Fire District Administration Office, 866 Oriole Way, Incline Village. If the required criteria are met, an ash can will be provided.

Propane Grills:

• Check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year.
• Apply light soap and water solution to the hose. A propane leak will release bubbles.
• If your grill has a gas leak, by smell, or the soapy bubble test, and there is no flame, turn off the gas tank and grill. If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop, call the fire department.
• If you smell gas while cooking, immediately leave the grill and call the fire department. Do not move the grill.
• If the flame goes out, turn the grill and gas off and wait at least 15 minutes before re-lighting it.

Please note: No open flame of any kind is allowed during Red Flag Warnings.

Fire restrictions may be different in other Fire Districts, State and Federal lands.