PRESS RELEASE

Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team

July 2016

For Immediate Release

Prepare for Wildfire Season by Creating Defensible Space

Contact:

South Lake Tahoe, Calif. – With summer here and wildfires burning in the Sierra Nevada, people at Lake Tahoe must ensure they are prepared for wildfire by clearing hazardous fuels from their properties and creating defensible space.

Local fire protection districts and fire departments around the Lake Tahoe Region offer defensible space inspections and tree removal permits. They are ready to help people reduce wildfire risk and prepare for wildfire.

When a wildfire ignites, vegetation around homes and buildings can help feed the fire. Appropriately managing that vegetation and creating defensible space increases the chance a home or building will survive the wildfire. Properly managed vegetation also makes it much safer for firefighters to respond to extinguish structure fires.

Hazardous fuel reduction means raking up leaves and pine needles in the yard and clearing trees, shrubs, branches and other fuel sources in a way that makes it difficult for wildfire to transfer from one fuel source to another, from the ground up into the trees, and from fuel sources to homes or buildings.

Lake Tahoe residents are encouraged to work together and with their local fire protection district to create defensible space throughout entire neighborhoods.

For homes not on Lake Tahoe’s shoreline, a permit is required to remove living trees greater than 14-inches diameter at breast height. For homes on the lakeshore, a permit is required to remove trees greater than 6-inches diameter at breast height between the house and the lake, or trees greater than 14-inches diameter at breast height in other areas.

More information about creating defensible space and fire-adapted communities is available online at http://tahoe.livingwithfire.info/.

The Tahoe Resource Conservation District is working to create a Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities, partnering with residents and fire districts on the California side of the Tahoe Basin to reduce wildfire risk. Community volunteers and leaders are needed and should contact Marybeth Donahoe at (530) 543-1501 ext. 114 to learn more.

People and businesses are also encouraged to sign up to receive emergency notifications now before a local emergency such as a wildfire occurs.

City of South Lake Tahoe: www.cityofslt.us/signup

El Dorado County:http://ready.edso.org/

Placer County: www.placer-alert.org

Douglas County: https://douglascounty.onthealert.com/

Washoe County: https://www.washoecounty.us/em/RegionalAlerts.php

Remember to Think First to Keep Tahoe Fire Safe this summer. Visit www.ThinkFirstTahoe.org to learn more about wildfire prevention and preparedness and sign a pledge to Think First to Keep Tahoe Fire Safe to show you are taking the wildfire threat at Tahoe seriously and working to reduce wildfire risk in our communities.

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, University of California and Nevada Cooperative Extensions, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, the U.S. 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 withinthe Lake Tahoe Basin from wildfire by implementing prioritized fuels reduction projects and engaging the public in becoming a Fire Adapted Community.

For more information, visit www.tahoefft.org.

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POSITION
Fuel Reduction/Chipper 
LOCATION
South Lake Tahoe, California
PRIMARY DUTIES
Chipper(s) will be responsible for operating the wood chipper and safely conducting slash disposal at the properties of homeowners within the areas of Lake Valley’s jurisdiction, Fallen Leaf Lake, and Alpine County. Chipper(s) will listen to voicemail messages left by homeowners and properly document all information necessary to provide prompt and professional service. Chipper(s) may conduct other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
➢ Graduate from high school or successful certification of equivalency
➢ Minimum of 18 years of age
➢ Ability to perform manual labor, lift heavy loads, and work for extended periods of time
➢ Current and valid Nevada or California Driver’s License, Class C
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
➢ Knowledge of, and experience with, wood chipper, chainsaw and other equipment
➢ Familiarity driving large vehicles and experience with basic towing operations
➢ Ability to work safely and cooperatively in a group setting and work within a variety of working conditions
➢ Interpersonal skills are vital due to constant interaction with local homeowners
HOW TO APPLY
Applications are available at Lake Valley Fire Protection District Station 7 and on www.lakevalleyfire.org. Deliver completed applications and proof of desired qualifications to:

Lake Valley Fire Protection District Station 7
2211 Keetak Street
South Lake Tahoe, California 96150
ATTN: Martin Goldberg

FINAL FILING DATE
Applications are being accepted continuously until filled. Interviews will be conducted upon receipt of a complete application. Final deadline June 6th 2016.
CONTACT PERSON
Martin Goldberg
Fire and Fuels Division
(530) 577-3737 or goldberg@caltahoefire.net
FAX: (530) 577-3739

PLEASE NOTE
This position is a four-month limited term hourly position in the District, assigned to a guaranteed 40-hour workweek. Benefits and housing are not included. Hourly starting rate is $12.00-$14.40 per hour.

Please join us for an educational evening on Fire Adapted Communities.

New Program Creating Fire Adapted Community Network at Lake Tahoe

Contact: Marybeth Donahoe, (530) 543-1501 ext. 114

South Lake Tahoe, Calif. –The Tahoe Resource Conservation District (Tahoe RCD) is launching a new program to motivate and help communities to take action to lower their risk to the wildfire hazard in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Supported with grant funding from CAL FIRE, the Tahoe RCD is building a Fire Adapted Community Network to educate locals and visitors about their vulnerability to wildfire and help them reduce their risk. In fire adapted communities, residents, visitors and agencies work together to take collaborative action to protect the community before, during, and after wildfires.

The network will engage individuals so they understand their wildfire threat and provide the tools they need to lower their risk. It will leverage educational resources, promote fire district services, and act as a liaison between community members and agencies, building partnerships between fire districts, communities, visitors, and agencies

The goal is to create a unified network of individuals who take responsibility and actions to reduce the wildfire risk in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Establishing fire adapted communities is the solution to protecting people’s lives and property and the environment from a catastrophic wildfire. 

Why are fire adapted communities important? Due to over 100 years of fire suppression, the natural role fire plays in creating healthy forests has been altered. The accumulation of hazardous fuels has increased within the understory of the forests. The accumulation of these fuels, weather conditions, and human behavior could lead to another catastrophic wildfire event in the Tahoe Basin, much like the previous Gondola, Washoe, and Angora fires.

Informed individuals, neighbors, and agencies reduce this wildfire risk by reducing fuels and modifying human behavior. It is important for people to create defensible space around there homes and within their neighborhoods, and to take other precautions to minimize their vulnerability to the inevitable wildfire threat. Fire adapted neighborhoods work closely with their local fire district or department to create and maintain a fire adapted community. This network of fire adapted communities will reduce the threat to wildfire and create resilient, knowledgeable communities in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Be part of the solution! Spread the word about the wildfire threat and how to minimize the risk. Together we can make a difference! We need motivated individuals to partner on the efforts of creating a Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities. You can be a leader in your residential community and personal network, or help with an established effort. Here are some tips on how to get involved:

• Request a defensible space inspection from your local fire district or fire department by visiting www.Tahoe.LivingWithFire.info.
• Contact Marybeth Donahoe at the Tahoe RCD for more information about how to volunteer. Find out about upcoming workshops and trainings and get the tools you need to raise awareness in your community. She can give you the information you need to either be a leader or a member within a local fire-adapted community. Call Marybeth at (530) 543-1501 ext. 114.

Catastrophic wildfire does not recognize boundaries or property lines. You can make a huge difference just by connecting with your neighbors and working together to minimize this risk for everyone. Be part of the solution, create unity and fire-adapt your community.

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, University of California and Nevada Cooperative Extensions, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, the U.S. 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 withinthe Lake Tahoe Basin from wildfire by implementing prioritized fuels reduction projects and engaging the public in becoming a Fire Adapted Community.

For more information, visit www.tahoefft.org.