Tahoe City, Calif. Mar. 7, 2023 –North Tahoe Fire reports an alarming increase in gas leaks, Carbon Monoxide (CO) related emergencies and other hazard-related emergencies resulting from the repeated storms and heavy snow. Since January 1, 2023, hazard calls have accounted for nearly 20% of non-EMS incidents. Firefighters are on a mission to empower the […]
North Tahoe Fire Protection District
Prevent Snow-Related Gas Leaks
Tahoe City, Calif. Jan. 26, 2023 – The Sierra received remarkable snowfall in a short period of time, leading to a spike in propane-related calls to local fire agencies. This is not uncommon after early, heavy, and wet snowfall events and North Tahoe Fire shares information on ways locals can prevent snow-related gas leaks. The […]
Life Jackets Save Lives
U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that drowning was the reported cause of death in four out of every five recreational boating fatalities in 2020, and that 86 percent of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets. Sadly, we’ve already witnessed this statistic at Lake Tahoe this season. Earlier this month, North Tahoe firefighters were […]
North Tahoe Fire: Losing One of Our Own
Tahoe City, Calif. Mar 23, 2021 – It is with a heavy heart that I share the loss of one of our own. Tim Schrader, our Facilities Coordinator and fixer of all things North Tahoe Fire, was involved in a back country incident over the weekend. Despite the heroic efforts of others at the scene […]
North Tahoe Firefighter Deployed to Loma Linda to Support COVID19 Surge
Tahoe City, Calif. Jan. 12, 2021 – Firefighters are no stranger to being deployed on 14-day assignments during disasters, and this winter, crews will don a different uniform as they report to hospitals instead of wildfires. Firefighter/Paramedic Stephanie Lockhart was the first to volunteer when North Tahoe Fire received an emergency request for assistance from […]
North Tahoe Fire Chief Michael Schwartz: We are creating a new model for restoring our forested landscapes and protecting our communities
December 20, 2019 – As the Fire Chief serving the north and west shores of Lake Tahoe, I am acutely aware and concerned about the potential for catastrophic wildfire here. Decades of fire suppression have left us overcrowded and dense with the type of forest fuels, structure, and accumulation that exacerbate the threat and severity […]
Alpine Meadows Community Earns National Recognition for Wildfire Preparedness
Tahoe City, Calif. Dec. 11, 2019 – The hard work of homeowners in the Alpine Meadows Community was recognized this month with the National Fire Protection Association’s designation as a Firewise USA® community. The Alpine Meadows Fire Safe Council coordinated with North Tahoe Fire and the Placer County Fire Safe Alliance to complete a rigorous […]
Carbon Monoxide Close Call – 13 People Lucky to be Alive
Tahoe City, Calif. Dec. 2, 2019 – A Thanksgiving celebration in Lake Tahoe could have turned into a tragedy for a family of 13 had it not been for two family members that left the holiday dinner to be checked out at a local hospital. The family members, which spanned multiple generations, were visiting the […]
North Tahoe and Meeks Bay Fire Protection Districts: The McClatchy Analysis and Destined to Burn Series… The Rest of the Story
Tahoe City, Calif. April 11, 2019 – A collaborative effort to put a spotlight on policy issues affecting fire prevention was released by the Sac Bee today in a series titled “Destined to Burn.” But there is more to the story. The Sac Bee released the McClatchy Analysis to put a spotlight on policy issues […]
North Tahoe Fire awarded a special grant by the California Fire Foundation to combat disasters in California
TAHOE CITY, Calif. March 29, 2019 – North Tahoe Fire is proud to announce the receipt of a generous grant from the California Fire Foundation (Foundation) to combat climate-change driven disasters. Through this funding, the Foundation, PG&E and first responders are working together to help communities prepare for and prevent safety hazards that can make […]
Mountain Home Safety in the High Country
TAHOE CITY, Calif. February 25, 2019 – With the seemingly never-ending series of storms dumping feet upon feet of snow in Tahoe, it’s time to remind homeowners to be vigilant with their properties to ensure the safety of residents and guests. It was a busy weekend for North Tahoe Fire and Meeks Bay Fire crews, […]
North Tahoe Fire and the Contractors Association of Truckee Tahoe to Host Building Industry Workshop on Jan. 9
Tahoe City, Calif. January 3, 2019 – The North Tahoe Fire Protection District (NTFPD) and the Contractors Association of Truckee Tahoe (CATT) announce they will co-host a public workshop in January designed to help building industry professionals understand proposed changes affecting the 2019 building season. Builders, planners, designers, consultants, real estate agents, and others involved […]
Red Flag Declaration prompts activation of Lake Tahoe Basin strike team
TAHOE CITY, CA, Sept. 12, 2018 – For the second time this fire season, the Lake Tahoe Basin Operational Area has received state funding to activate and pre-position a task force during high fire weather in the region. North Tahoe Strike Team Leader Alan Whisler and a strike team comprised of members from North Tahoe […]
North Tahoe Fire and Meeks Bay Fire Protection Districts Issue a Declaration Prohibiting ALL Open Burning and Recreational Campfires During the Red Flag Weather Warning
TAHOE CITY, CA September 10, 2018 – North Tahoe Fire Protection District (NTFPD) and Meeks Bay Fire Protection District (MBFPD) issue a Declaration to suspend all burn permits for outdoor residential burning, and recreational campfires. Recreational campfires meaning: bonfires, portable outdoor fireplaces, and recreational fires (CFC 202) (Campfires). The suspension, enforced by NTFPD Fire Chief, […]
North Tahoe Fire Protection District lowers flags to half staff in honor of Fire Chief Duane Whitelaw (ret.)
TAHOE CITY, Calif. July 24, 2018 – It is with a heavy heart that we inform you of the passing of Chief Duane Whitelaw (ret.). Chief Whitelaw leaves a legacy of over 42 years in public service, with 33 of those years benefiting the Tahoe region. Not only did he serve as Fire Chief for […]
North Tahoe Fire Chief Schwartz speaks at Introduction of Wildfire Safety and Recovery Act
Tahoe City, Calif. December 29, 2017 – No more evident than this year, are the devastating results from California Wildfires. Despite the actions of so many throughout the state to reduce their risk by building with non-combustible materials, and maintaining defensible space, lack of property insurance access impedes our communities, and is an unfortunate reality […]
Fifteen Engines from the Tahoe Basin Operational Area assigned to Thomas Fire
Lake Tahoe Basin Operational Area, CA/NV December 5, 2017 – Over fifteen engines, making up three strike teams, have been deployed from the Tahoe Basin Operational Area to the Thomas Fire near Ventura County, CA. The Thomas Fire started on December 4, at approximately 6:28 pm and is currently around 45,000 acres. The Thomas fire is […]
Lake Tahoe Region Strike Teams Save Horse and Property on the Wind Complex
Tahoe City, CA October 13, 2017 – Ten engines from the Lake Tahoe Basin Operational area have been assigned to assist on the Wind Complex near Loma Rica, CA. Engines were actively engaged in initial attack for the first two operational periods while assigned to the Wind Complex. While actively extinguishing fires and assessing structure […]
Meeks Bay Fire Protection District now designated as Advanced Life Support capable
Meeks Bay, Lake Tahoe, CA February 1, 2017 – Effective January 16, 2017, Meeks Bay Fire Protection District’s Station 61, has been designated as an Advanced Life Support (ALS) Station. The Station was previously staffed to provide Basic Life Support (BLS). Station 61 will be staffed with a minimum of one Captain and one Paramedic. […]
Incline Village area: Avalanche Potential in the Third Creek Drainage
January 7, 2017 – There are indications that an avalanche may occur in the Third Creek drainage and in the avalanche path adjacent to Third Creek to the south. Flowing debris from this anticipated avalanche(s) are expected to remain confined to the gullies and not affect homes or streets. However, the air blast (a cushion […]