homes

Before that question can be answered, we need to understand what a mega fire is. To be a mega fire it needs to meet these five points:

1. Starts near or in a high fire danger area during approaching or actual red flag conditions,
2. Escapes the initial attack,
3. Develops into a campaign fire covering a large area,
4. Requires thousand of firefighters and extensive additional resources to bring final containment,
5. Often cause huge property and other cultural losses in addition to vegetation destroyed.

Overnight fire conditions were very active on several fronts forcing additional
evacuations across Northern California. Firefighters are battling 22 large
wildfires that have burned nearly 170,000 acres. Firefighters are bracing for
the winds to shift this evening and increase in speed. 17 people are confirmed
to have died in the wildfires this week. 11 people alone died in the Tubbs Fire,
making it the 6th deadliest fire in our state’s history.
While damage assessment continues on all the fires, it is estimated that at

Overnight significant winds fanned over a dozen fires across Northern California. 15 new wind whipped wildfires in nine counties have already burned over 73,000 acres in the past 12 hours. Firefighters have been challenged with winds gusting in excess of 50 mph causing extreme rates of spread and volatile burning conditions.

El Dorado County initiated the "Good Neighbor Program" in 2014 after holding a public meeting on October 23 of that year.

Tax Collector Cherie Raffety said during the meeting that the County wanted vacation homes to be a good neighbor instead of creating a situation that causes Sheriff's deputies to be called out for excessive noise. Management companies were to go to neighbors, introduce themselves and leave contact info.

7:00PM UPDATE 10/4 - The Cutter Fire burning in the Pine Nut Mountains of Douglas County has now burned through 1,697 acres of brush. A chainsaw started the fire which started on October 3 at 12:19 p.m. Several firefighters are on the scene according to Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center.

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The Cutter Fire in Douglas County has burned 650 acres since starting just after noon Tuesday, according to Sierra Front. The brush fire is burning in the area of U.S. 395 in the Pine Nut Mountains near Leviathan Mine Road in Douglas County.

Vacation home rentals (VHRs) in South Lake Tahoe are again the subject of a City Council meeting. In an effort to come to an ordinance that satisfies all sides, the October 3 council meeting will look at several topics that were discussed at the September 5 VHR workshop.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — The community is warmly invited to Lake Tahoe Community College on Thursday, September 28 to enjoy three new art exhibit openings that evening. Free artist receptions will be held simultaneously from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. around LTCC’s campus, providing an opportunity to meet the artists whose work will be on display and to enjoy light refreshments with other local supporters of the arts.

El Dorado County Assessor Karl Weiland today announced the assessed value of
all taxable property in El Dorado County increased by almost six percent from last year. The $31.5 billion property tax roll, which reflects the assessed value as of January 1st, 2017 is approximately $1.7 billion above last year’s assessed value of $29.8 billion.

The $31.5 billion dollar roll generates about $315 million in property taxes every year that support schools, public safety, local districts, cities and County government services.

The Final Draft of the Meyers Area Plan was released today along with the associated joint environmental document. This draft updates 20-year old policies to streamline permitting for small projects, improves consistency between El Dorado County and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) policies and standards, promotes recreation and bicycle/pedestrian improvements, establishes zoning to better reflect current conditions, conserves land around the Upper Truckee River, formalizes a local citizens advisory council, and integrates design standards and guidelines.

A North Lake Tahoe designer's sponsoring of adoption fees resulted in more than a dozen pets found homes last month.

Scott Corridan took care of the fees at the at the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe (HSTT) August 17-19.

A total of nine dogs and eight cats were adopted during the three-day event, nearly breaking shelter records. New owners were also treated to a mini photo shoot designed by Corridan.

“Witnessing the joy and connection between these adopters and their new pet was profoundly moving,” Corridan said. “To be able to be a part of that was an honor.”

UPDATE 3:30PM - Residents with proper identification will be allowed to pass through closed highway areas in Topaz Estates and north of the fire. School buses will be running as normal for Thursday afternoon.

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The Nevada Highway Patrol and California Hwy Patrol are working traffic control for the Slinkard Fire in Topaz near the Nevada and California state line.

North of the fire, Hwy 395 is closed in both directions at Leviathan Mine Road, which is south of Gardnerville, Nevada.

South of the fire, Hwy 395 is closed in both directions at Hwy 182 in Bridgeport, Calif.

The Foundation for Carson City Parks & Recreation (FCCPR), is hosting an Open House at the historic Wungnema House located in Mills Park, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 27, 2017. Admission to the open house is free. This will be an opportunity to learn about this historic building and about the Foundation.

8/20 update: The fire grew minimally yesterday as thunderstorms skirted the perimeter. 3,191 acres have now burned and the fire is at 10 percent contained. Mandatory evacuations will remain in place in Wawona for the area east of Highway 41 on Forest Dr. and Chilnualna Falls Rd.

The discharge of firearms on public lands has been determined the cause of Mariposa County's Detwiler Fire which has destroyed 63 homes, 67 minor structures and 1 commercial building since starting July 16, 2017.

21 other homes and buildings were damaged.

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) investigators said specifics are still under investigation.

The Detwiler Fire has burned 81,826 acres and was 97 percent contained as of 7:00 a.m. Saturday, August 5.

Every year, on the first Tuesday in August, nearly 40 million people in 16,000 communities across the United States turn out to celebrate National Night Out. The event was first hosted in 1984 as a way to bring communities together and promote stronger ties between citizens and the law enforcement personnel who serve them. Communities are at their best when neighbors feel a common bond and a sense of community not only among themselves but also with their local public servants, and National Night Out is a fun and enjoyable way to foster those important ties.

9:00 p.m. update: The Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) has initiated evacuations for areas east of Pine Nut Road to include Fred's Street, Sandoval, Taildragger, Bluebird, and Bar-J Roads as well as in the Sierra Spirit Ranch area including, Blue Sage Road, Badger Lane, Robinson Road and Lena Lane. In addition, Washoe Tribal Police are evacuating the Bodie Flats area in the vicinity of Courtland Avenue.

The lightning-sparked Preacher Fire burning in the Pine Nut Mountains southeast of Gardnerville has swelled to 3,130 acres according to DCSO with winds moving north.

Residents are now being told they can return to their Mariposa, Calif. homes after being evacuated by the Detwiler Fire which started on July 16.

As of 11:30 a.m. Friday, the fire has burned 74,083 acres and is now 15 percent contained.

Since the fire is still threatening 1,500 structures many other evacuations remain in place. 58 homes and 60 minor structures have been destroyed with another 17 residences and structures damaged.

The nearby Maria Fire on Mokelume Hill in Calaveras County is now 117 acres and 95 percent contained.

8:45 p.m. update: A juvenile has been arrested by CalFire law enforcement officers for starting Thursday's fire in Auburn.

The boy told officers that he was smoking marijuana when the nearby brush caught fire. He then called and reported the fire. He was taken into custody by CalFire at the scene and booked at the Placer County Juvenile Hall on arson-related charges.

A large fire in California in Mariposa County is sending out a lot of smoke, some of it ending up in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

The Detwiler Fire has burned 15,500 acres as of Tuesday morning, is five percent contained and threatens 300 homes along Highway 49 north of the town of Mariposa.

Winds from the south are sending that smoke along the Sierra, over Lake Tahoe and into Carson City and Reno areas according to the National Weather Service in Reno.

"Charles Barkley became a beacon of hope and support for the firefighters and the recovery efforts of the community," Tahoe Douglas Fire Marshal Eric Guevin told the crowd at the 10th tee Friday morning. "Charles, we are here to support and cheer you on in your game today. We want people to care, be aware and prepare for wildfires. On behalf of the Fire Chiefs of Lake Tahoe, Sir Charles thank you for caring."

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - An ongoing legal battle between the Tahoe Keys Marina and the Tahoe Keys Property Owners Association (TKPOA) has resulted in the water being shut off to all buildings at the marina.

Since the Fresh Ketch restaurant and adjacent deli are in one of those buildings, the El Dorado County Health Department shut them down due to a lack of water. A notice was also put up on the apartments in the complex advising residents of unsafe living conditions since there was no running water.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Lake Tahoe City Council has been working with the public, home owners, residents and vacation rental companies for years in trying to get a vacation home rental ordinance that works for everyone.

The balancing act will continue during a Vacation Rental Workshop during the next City Council meeting on July 11.

Crews with Bureau of Land Management, Nevada Department of Forestry and Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District have responded to a new fire burning near Spanish Springs and the Pyramid Highway. Dubbed the Winnemucca Ranch Fire, flames have consumed 1,500 acres since starting at 6:25 p.m. Tuesday.

Both ground and air resources are on scene.

At least 11 homes are threatened, according to Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District.

Ironwood Road is being evacuated, according to the Washoe County Sheriff.

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.