Tahoe Network 2021 Accomplishments

January 10th, 2022

As we celebrate the New Year, it is a good time to reflect on last year's biggest accomplishments. In 2021, the Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities (Tahoe Network) successfully navigated the changes brought on by COVID-19 and the Caldor Fire and continued to develop educated, empowered and connected communities who are adapted to living with the inevitable presence of wildfire at Lake Tahoe.

Tahoe Network 2021 Highlights

Wildfire Home Retrofit Guide

The Fire Adapted Communities program developed the Wildfire Home Retrofit Guide to help residents harden their homes against wildfire. This guide was created through the collaborative efforts of the University of Nevada, Reno Cooperative Extension, University of California Cooperative Extension, and with funding from the California Climate Investments Fire Prevention Grant Program at CAL FIRE. The guide was peer-reviewed, published, and digitally distributed in January 2021.

Lake Tahoe Renters Guide

The Tahoe Network devised the Lake Tahoe Renter’s Guide in English and Spanish to help inform Tahoe residents about preparing for wildfires with renter-specific recommendations. The guide was reviewed by local Tahoe renters via two focus groups, while it also received partner feedback. It was printed and digitally published in September 2021.

Events

The Tahoe Network hosted a free screening and Q&A session of the film Not If, But When: Wildfire Solutions, educated new residents at the Incline Village General Improvement District (IVGID) meet-and-greet, and engaged South Lake Tahoe and Meyers residents and visitors at the Tahoe Paradise Park Fundraiser, which collectively saw 98 engagements. In addition, the Tahoe Network coordinated, implemented, and provided outreach and education for three defensible space community workdays in target neighborhoods. A total of 64 residents received free defensible-space work, and 106 individuals received wildfire preparedness education.

Caldor Fire

During the Caldor Fire, Tahoe Living With Fire shared timely evacuation information on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter from the Incident Command team and provided critical evacuation and preparedness resources for Tahoe residents and visitors in English and Spanish. The Tahoe Living With Fire social media channels were trusted sources for urgent incident information and kept the community updated and informed. Tahoe Living With Fire social media also kept the Tahoe community informed and educated by sharing resources on how to return after the fire.

In 2021, Lake Tahoe faced many challenges adapting to the new Covid-19 environment. Matters were further complicated by the Tamarack fire and Caldor fire, which was one of the largest wildfires the Tahoe Basin has ever scene. Despite these challenges, the Tahoe Network was able to effectively raise wildfire awareness and continue developing Fire Adapted Communities. THANK YOU to all staff, neighborhood leaders, and first responders. All of these achievements would not have been possible without you!

Learn More About Preparing For Wildfire

Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities

tahoelivingwithfire.com | 530-543-1501 ext. 114 | fire@tahoercd.org