Senator Ted Gaines recognizes 10th anniversary of Angora Fire

The following is from the office of Senator Ted Gaines (R-El Dorado):

Senator Gaines this week recognized the 10th anniversary of the devastating Angora Fire and pledged his continued efforts to increase fire safety in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

“I will never forget the severity of what I saw 10 years ago when I toured the wreckage left behind from this destructive fire,” said Senator Gaines. “The community has done a remarkable job of picking up the pieces and rebuilding their homes and the Tahoe regional economy. But we can never be too vigilant. Tahoe is still at extreme risk for catastrophic wildfire and we need to take every reasonable measure to keep this area safe.”

The Angora Fire scorched about 3,100 acres and destroyed 254 homes, costing tens of millions of dollars in damages and in emergency response costs. Tahoe’s conditions in June 2007 – steep canyons, ample fuel, dry years when the area received only 29-percent of normal precipitation, high winds – were a recipe for forest fire disaster. While this year’s conditions are different in that the area has receive more precipitation, the new vegetation growth in combination with hot summer days can lead to a dangerous fire season.

“We must continue to implement the recommendations made by the bi-state Blue Ribbon Fire Commission, which was formed in the wake of the fire by the Governors of California and Nevada, aimed at strengthening the region’s ability to prevent and respond to fire catastrophes,” said Senator Gaines. “I will continue to do everything in my power to help make the region safer.”

Senator Gaines encouraged residents to do their part for fire safety by exercising extreme caution with cigarettes, campfires, tools, engines or anything else that could possibly spark or otherwise cause a fire – which is how the Angora Fire began. He asked homeowners to create defensible space around their homes and to be vigilant in clearing out brush at least 100 feet.

Senator Ted Gaines represents the 1st Senate District, which includes all or parts of Alpine, El Dorado, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, Shasta, Sierra and Siskiyou counties.