TRUCKEE, Calif. (April 30, 2025) – May is National Wildfire Awareness Month and Truckee Fire is calling on all residents to take immediate action to prepare for wildfire season by following the District’s Wildfire Readiness Checklist. Building on the success of the Measure T-funded programs, Truckee Fire continues to offer vital resources that make wildfire preparedness accessible for everyone.

“With wildfire season approaching, we need every resident to utilize these critical resources,” said Truckee Fire Chief Kevin McKechnie. “The programs we’ve established through Measure T have proven effective, but their success ultimately depends on community participation. Now is the time to prepare our homes and neighborhoods.”

YOUR WILDFIRE READINESS CHECKLIST

1. Clear five feet around all structures 

Remove pine needles, leaves and debris, including under decks and stairs. Store woodpiles, gas cans and other combustibles at least 30 feet from your home. Pro tip: Rent a six-yard dumpster with 75% reimbursement through Truckee Fire’s Green Waste Program.

An unenclosed deck wit h exposed underside, allowing embers easy access during a wildfire.
An unenclosed deck with exposed underside, allowing embers easy access during a wildfire.
After: The deck is now enclosed with non - combustible materials, reducing vulnerability to embers — an upgrade supported by Truckee Fire’s Home Hardening Rebate Program.
After: The deck is now enclosed with non-combustible materials, reducing vulnerability
to embers—an upgrade supported by Truckee Fire’s Home Hardening Rebate Program.

2. Remove dead vegetation and manage live vegetation 

Clear grasses, weeds, shrubs and dead trees. Prune tree limbs at least 6 feet above the ground and increase spacing between trees and shrubs. Pro tip: Use Truckee Fire’s free green waste pick-up for shrubs, trees and branches up to eight inches in diameter.

The grapple truck

3. Make your address visible 

Ensure house numbers are at least four inches tall and readable from the road. Pro tip: Check out Truckee Fire’s new Reflective Address Sign Program.

4. Schedule a free defensible space inspection 

Get a customized report with an easy-to-follow to-do list for defensible space and home hardening. Pro tip: It’s free, fast and gives you a custom checklist to protect your home. Schedule today at truckeefire.org/dspace.

5. Connect with neighbors 

Share this information and work together for a Wildfire Resilient Truckee. Sign up for emergency alerts at tahoealerts.com.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE ADDITIONAL MEASURE T PROGRAMS:

Free Green Waste Removal Programs (multiple options available):

  • FREE curbside pick-up – Stack eligible green waste at the curb and schedule online
  • Dumpster rebates – Get 75% reimbursed on 6-yard green waste dumpster rentals
  • Green waste drop-off days – Community-wide events available this season: May 30th, June 28th and July 11th

Details at truckeefire.org/greenwaste.

Firewise Community Workday in Floriston
Firewise Community Workday in Floriston

Home Hardening Rebate Program: Get 50% back on upgrades that protect your home from embers and wildfire, up to $2,000 in rebates. Simple actions make a big difference: installing hardscaping within five feet of your home, replacing wooden fences/gates with noncombustible options and upgrading to 1/8-inch metal mesh vent screens or smaller (available for DIY and contractor projects). Learn more at truckeefire.org/hardenyourhome.

NEW FOR 2025:

  • Reflective Address Sign Program – Free reflective address sign (one per property).  Request from a Wildfire Prevention Team member at a community event or during a defensible space inspection.
  • Dead Tree Fund – Financial assistance for property owners needing dead tree removal – details coming soon.

Find more information on these programs at truckeefire.org/dspaceassistance.

Firewise Community Support: With 85% of homes in the district now part of active Firewise Communities, Truckee Fire provides support for neighborhood initiatives. Truckee Fire will reimburse for the rental cost of up to four 30-yard dumpsters for Firewise workdays.

Interested in learning about the FirewiseUSA Program? Attend “Truckee Fire’s Firewise Virtual Office Hours” on the third Wednesday of every month from 3-4 p.m. Learn more at truckeefire.org/firewise.

Since 2022, Measure T programs have achieved impressive results:

  • More than 51,000 cubic yards of combustible green waste removed
  • More than 12,700 defensible space inspections completed
  • 1,453 acres of fuel reduction and forest resilience work accomplished
  • 33 home hardening rebates awarded
  • 1,000+ green waste dumpster rebates issued
  • $2.7 million awarded for community wildfire preparedness

Truckee Fire’s Measure T-supported Community Wildfire Protection Plan continues to guide fire risk reduction priorities throughout the district, helping to create a comprehensive approach to wildfire resilience. View the story map at truckeefire.org/cwpp.

“The difference between a home that survives a wildfire and one that doesn’t often comes down to simple preventative actions,” said Wildfire Prevention Manager Eric Horntvedt. “We’re providing all the tools residents need – now we’re asking everyone to take action today.”

For more information on Truckee Fire and Measure T initiatives, visit truckeefire.org.