Be Wildfire Ready

BE AWARE, BE PREPARED & STAY INFORMED!

Wildfire season is here.

After years of catastrophic wildfires in and around the Tahoe Basin, now more than ever, it’s important to be aware, prepared & informed.

NTBA encourages our community to utilize these resources so that everyone is fire safe and ready!

As of June 26th, 2023 Summer Fire Restrictions are in place. This includes all of North Lake Tahoe and Truckee Fire Districts.

MOSQUITO FIRE UPDATES + RESOURCES

READY PLACER

VIEW EVACUATION MAP

Updated 9/16/2022 8:31am

Placer County has proclaimed a local emergency, which was ratified by the Placer County Board of Supervisors September 13, due to the ongoing threat from the Mosquito Fire. Governor Gavin Newsom has also proclaimed a state of emergency for Placer and El Dorado counties due to the Mosquito Fire.

California has secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppress the Mosquito Fire burning in El Dorado and Placer counties. LEARN MORE

The fire near Foresthill has burned 69,908 acres, is 20% contained and threatens 9,236 structures. Foresthill and nearby communities in both Placer and El Dorado counties remain under evacuation orders and warnings (El Dorado residents can find information here). CAL FIRE NEU is in Unified Command with the USFS Tahoe National Forest, Foresthill Fire Protection District and Placer County Sheriff’s Office on the Mosquito Fire.

Structures

Structures threatened: 9,236
Structures destroyed: 73
Structures damaged: 13

Firefighter personnel: 3,873

People evacuated: 11,277

View more incident information from InciWeb – Incident Information System.

Update for the residents of the Michigan Bluff Community: If you are a resident of the Michigan Bluff Community in Foresthill and live south of the intersection of Michigan Bluff Rd and Chickenhawk Rd please call 530-886-5390 to speak to a representative for updated information.

Placer County is committed to helping our residents affected by the Mosquito Fire recover as quickly and safely as possible. We’ve created a one-stop-shop for recovery information and we’ll continue to update it as new resources and information become available. https://www.placer.ca.gov/mosquitofirerecovery

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE + HOW TO HELP!

—

Please reserve 9-1-1 for active emergencies only! General information can be found by dialing 2-1-1.

Placer County via Placer Alert | Sign up for emergency alerts on your cell phone and devices to help stay informed of current wildfire issues and/or recommendations.

CAL FIRE

Updated 09/16/22 8:03am

Situation Summary

Firefighters continued to hold the Mosquito Fire within existing control lines along its western and southern flanks. The aggressive work of firefighters has minimized damage and further spread into affected communities along the fire’s edge. With the threat of stronger winds in the coming days due to an incoming cold front, crews will relentlessly patrol the fire’s perimeter for heat, smoke, and any potential issues that could cause the fire to jump containment lines. On September 13th, firefighters and the public saw firsthand how quickly a spot fire could jump control lines and threaten the communities again with little to no time to escape…….READ MORE

Road Closures

View road closures in the vicinity of the Mosquito Fire on the Caltrans Interactive Map

U.S. Forest Closures

El Dorado National Forest: The forest has issued a Forest Closure Order No. 03-22-16 which includes lands, roads and trails in the Mosquito Fire Area. View this order and related maps here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1059205.pdf

Tahoe National Forest: The Tahoe National Forest has issued Forest Closure Order No. 17-22-09 which includes lands, roads and trails in the Mosquito Fire Area. View this order and related maps here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1058883.pdf

U.S. Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program

Mosquito Fire Smoke Outlook for Central Sierra – Greater Tahoe Area

Fire

The fire’s perimeter as of this morning is over 69,000 acres, a growth of over 5,000 acres yesterday. Today, fire activity is expected to continue under lighter but still consistent SW winds and dry fuels. Increased humidity and lower temperatures over the next few days are expected as a front moves in.

Smoke

Yesterday’s smoke production combined with weakened SW winds allowed for smoke accumulation to Very Unhealthy or worse at sites east and north of the fire. Today, that accumulated smoke will likely hang around through the afternoon. Later in the afternoon and evening, stronger ventilation should clear smoke from sites west, south and north of the fire. However, direct plume impacts to Very Unhealthy or Hazardous are likely late afternoon and evening especially in Truckee, Reno, Carson City, and possibly South Lake Tahoe. Tomorrow morning, more smoke is likely in these eastern sites and farther down the east side of the Sierra. Good/moderate should persist elsewhere in the forecast area. Sunday and longer term, rain is expected to reduce, but not necessarily eliminate smoke throughout the forecast area depending on fire activity.

[VIEW SMOKE OUTLOOK]

ADDITIONAL LINKS:

SIGN UP FOR REGIONAL COUNTY ALERT SYSTEMS

Sign up for emergency alerts on your cell phone and devices to help stay informed of current wildfire issues and/or recommendations.

The Red Flag Warning Program is a local effort to make residents aware of wildfire risk in our community and is issued by the National Weather Service when conditions combine to produce the possibility of extreme fire behavior. If you see red flags posted at fire stations and government buildings, that is the time to visit readyforwildfire.org. LEARN MORE

HI-LO SIRENS CAN HELP SAVE LIVES

The Placer County Sheriff’s Office released an important PSA regarding hi-low sirens and how they can help keep us safe. The hi-lo siren was installed in patrol units in 2019 to be used during emergency evacuations. The sound is different from the traditional police siren — it will ONLY be used in areas facing danger from a wildfire, chemical spill, flood, etc. LEARN MORE

PROTECT YOUR HEALTH — LIVING WITH WILDFIRE SMOKE

Smoke affects air quality during a wildfire. Smoke from wildfires carry tiny particles that can damage the lungs, especially for those with existing respiratory conditions. If there is smoke in the North Tahoe region, consider the Air Quality Index (AQI) before heading outside. Get real-time, air quality updates HERE and HERE. When conditions are above 100, public health officials and air quality experts begin to recommend staying indoors and limiting outdoor exertion.

For people who want to recreate outside, the current virus situation and the sometimes hazardous air from wildfires raise questions about what protection to use, and when. Here’s what the California Department of Public Health advises:

• Cloth masks and surgical masks do not protect the wearer from fine particulate matter in wildfire smoke.
• Wear an N95 respirator if you need to be outdoors in smoky air for an extended period of time.

Other considerations:

• N95 respirators provide protection from both wildfire smoke and viral particles.
• N95 respirator masks must be properly fitted to be effective, and don’t usually work on people with facial hair.
• People with lung or heart conditions should consult their doctor before using an N95 mask, which can make breathing more difficult.
• Masks with one-way vents can reduce inhalation of smoke particles for the wearer.
• Children, pregnant women, older adults and people with heart and lung problems are especially susceptible to smoky air.

The best way to protect yourself from wildfire smoke is to stay indoors.

SHARE FIRE SAFETY INFORMATION & RESTRICTIONS

Download, print and share these resources:

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Placer County Red Flag Warning Awareness Program

Placer County has launched a new Red Flag Warning Awareness Program, where fire agency participants will display red flags in visible locations on red flag warning days to alert residents in times of elevated wildfire risk. The National Weather Service issues red flag warnings to alert fire departments of the onset, or possible onset, of critical weather and dry conditions that could lead to rapid or flag PNG dramatic increases in wildfire activity. A Red Flag Warning is issued for weather events that may result in extreme fire behavior that will occur within 24 hours and could exist in the next 12-72 hours. A Red Flag Warning is the highest fire alert. During these times, extreme caution is urged for all residents and guests because a simple spark can cause a major wildfire.

ALL open flames will be restricted during Red Flag days. No outdoor cooking, heating, or candles/torches!

Learn more about what this means for you HERE.

CAL FIRE Ready for Wildfire

Being Ready for wildfire starts with maintaining an adequate defensible space and by hardening your home by using fire resistant building materials. Find the right actions to prepare your family and home for the next California wildfire with the Prepare for Wildfire App. Create your wildfire action plan today.

[Visit the Ready for Wildfire Site]

PLAN

Use their new web-based app to create your custom wildfire preparedness action plan

CHECK IT OUT ►

KNOW

Get text messages on wildfire incidents near you

ACT

Follow these evacuation steps

ACT NOW ►

Living with Fire Tahoe

LIVING WITH FIRE TAHOE is a collaborative education and outreach program, founded in 1997 by University of Nevada Cooperative Extension and supported by members of the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team – formed in 2008 to implement the Lake Tahoe Basin Multi-Jurisdictional Fuel Reduction and Wildfire Prevention Strategy. Members are a group of dedicated professionals committed to protecting life, property and the environment at Lake Tahoe through proper management of the forests to reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfire, thereby protecting communities, while safeguarding the exceptional natural resources of Lake Tahoe. The TFFT is overseen by a Multi-Agency Coordinating Group which includes the seven Lake Tahoe Basin fire chiefs and nine local agency executives. [LEARN MORE]

Get Prepared

Learn how to evacuate and prepare your home and family to survive wildfire.

FIND OUT HOW ►

Get Informed

See what projects, prescribed fires and community events are taking place near you.

FIND OUT HOW ►

Get Involved

Get involved with the Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities to help your community prepare for wildfire.

FIND OUT HOW ►

Visit North Lake Tahoe

BE AWARE, BE PREPARED & STAY INFORMED!