California is confronted by a drought emergency resulting in wildland fires in the middle of winter in a fire season that never really ended. In most cases, careless campfires have been the source of these fires. The moisture content of the snowpack in the latest snow survey was only 24 percent of average. The consequence of three dry years is an increase in the number of trees dying and a proliferation of the amount of fuel on the ground. For these reasons, fire officials in the Lake Tahoe region are encouraging residents to begin the process of creating their defensible space.
Not only fire districts, but residents, must be ready. They emphasize that you should call 911 at the first sign of smoke, and be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice. Your home is more likely to survive a wildland fire if an appropriate defensible zone has been created. For information and guidelines for defensible space, contact your local fire district.
• Truckee Fire Protection District
• North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District
• North Tahoe Fire Protection District
• Meeks Bay Fire Protection District
To review the complete article, click on the Sierra Sun website.
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