Submitted by TRPA, May 1, 2025

Three months ago, the devastation of the LA wildfires unfolded as flames spread from the chaparral into the neighborhoods of Palisades and Altadena. Living in Tahoe, residents face similar risks, and a team of Lake Tahoe fire, forestry, and conservation agencies say communities here have the chance now to significantly lower the risk of another catastrophic wildfire. The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT) is calling on every resident and property owner in the Tahoe Basin to help them protect Lake Tahoe and has the know-how to help you Get Defensive.

Living in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) means choosing to live next to or within forested areas – beautiful, yet vulnerable. That proximity increases the threat to people and homes in the event of a major wildfire.

Local fire agencies and land managers are making major strides to reduce these risks by conducting fuels reduction projects in the wildland-urban interface, like prescribed burns and tree thinning. These projects promote forest health and help minimize the amount of flammable vegetation. The TFFT is a collaborative partnership of local, state, regional, and federal organizations leading this work. The team works together to plan, fund, and implement forest health and wildfire mitigation projects across jurisdictional boundaries, making the region more fire-resilient at a landscape scale and has treated more than 99,000 acres in the Lake Tahoe Basin to reduce hazardous fuels and improve forest health.

But creating a resilient Tahoe is a shared responsibility – so what can residents do?

As we’ve seen in recent wildfires, wind can carry embers miles ahead of the main flames. These embers will ignite smaller fires when they land on anything flammable, whether that’s piles of dry pine needles near homes or landing inside attic vents, which is more common that you might think. Creating and maintaining defensible space (the buffer between the house and flammable vegetation) and home hardening (using fire-resistant materials on homes) are critical steps homeowners can take to reduce risk. With summer around the corner, it’s the perfect time to rake pine needles, access free curbside chipping services from local fire agencies, and sign up for evacuation alerts and prepare go-bags in the case of an evacuation. This work is critical and TFFT agencies are providing the support needed to prepare Lake Tahoe for the next wildfire.

While these tasks can feel overwhelming when done alone, TFFT partners are here to help.

That’s where programs like Fire Adapted Communities and Firewise USA neighborhoods come in. Under the guidance of a neighborhood leader or leadership committee, Fire Adapted Communities work together to host defensible space workdays, prepare evacuation plans, and share wildfire preparedness tips and resources. Firewise USA is a nationally recognized program that operates within the framework of Fire Adapted Communities to create fire-resilient neighborhoods. Like Fire Adapted Communities, Firewise USA neighborhoods create three-year action plans and annual work reports in addition to hosting annual workdays. Becoming a Firewise USA neighborhood may assist in keeping or lowering the rates of your fire insurance. From workdays to barbecues and block parties, these programs foster a connected and prepared community.

In the Tahoe Basin, these programs are supported by the Tahoe Resource Conservation District and local fire agencies. Neighborhood leaders in existing Fire Adapted Communities and Firewise USA neighborhoods offer guidance, resources, and encouragement to help others get started. As wildfire intensity across the state increases, it’s natural to feel anxious. But being a part of a community that’s actively working to reduce wildfire impacts can bring peace of mind. As wildfire patterns shift, community-driven adaptation is becoming more important than ever.

To join or start a Fire Adapted Community or Firewise USA neighborhood, visit Tahoe Living With Fire for more information, or contact the Fire Adapted Communities Program at the Tahoe Resource Conservation District by calling 530-543-1501 ext. 114 or emailing fire@tahoercd.org.

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About the Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team

The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team 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 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, visit Tahoe Living With Fire.