TAHOE FIRE & FUELS TEAM: FALL YARD CLEAN UP & HOME FIRE SAFETY TIPS
Fall Yard Clean Up & Home Fire Safety Tips
Contact: North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, Tia Rancourt, 775-813-8106
LAKE TAHOE, Nev. – As fall approaches, and we think about spending more time inside, devote just a little more time outside to get your yard cleaned up and prepared for winter. The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT) reminds residents to make preparations now to be ready for fall wildfires and to save time and energy next spring.
Clean out and rake up leaves, pine needles, and pinecones that have fallen and remove all dead vegetation that may have accumulated. Contact your local fire district and take advantage of free curbside chipping services before the season ends and if you haven’t had a free Defensible Space Evaluation, you may still have time to schedule one before the close of the season. Clear out any debris from your rain gutter and check for proper drainage. Make sure your outdoor hoses are drained and properly stored away for the winter.
Once you have the yard squared away, head inside and review important home safety items. Check to make sure your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are working properly (check the batteries when daylight saving time ends on November 1, 2020). Make sure your furnace has been inspected and serviced by a qualified professional. Also, have your chimney and vents cleaned and inspected by a qualified professional. Creosote buildup is the leading cause of chimney fires. Do you have an ash can on hand to properly store your fireplace ashes? Please keep it on a non-combustible surface at least ten feet from your home or nearby buildings. Check that your fireplace screen is in good condition and in a secure position in front of the fireplace. If you have portable space heaters, ensure they have an automatic shut-off and plug them directly into an outlet (not an extension cord). Also, make sure they are at least three feet away from anything flammable.
Prepare now so you can enjoy the fall and winter months safely with family and friends. For more information on defensible space and preparing for wildfire visit Tahoe Living With Fire. For more information on Home Safety Tips, visit nfpa.org.
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About the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team
The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT) consists of representatives of Tahoe Basin fire agencies, CAL FIRE, Nevada Division of Forestry and related state agencies, the University of California and Nevada Cooperative Extensions, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, the USDA Forest Service, conservation districts from both states, the California Tahoe Conservancy and the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board. Our Mission is to protect lives, property, and the environment within the Lake Tahoe Basin from wildfire by implementing prioritized fuels reduction projects and engaging the public in becoming a Fire Adapted Community.
For more information about the TFFT, visit www.tahoelivingwithfire.com/about/.