The surreal feeling of South Lake Tahoe appearing more like a war zone than a mountain getaway haven shocked just about everyone. It felt like there were more fire engines than motor homes, more smoke than sun and more media personnel than tourists. The constant noise of helicopters overhead and the smoke filling the basin did not equate to your typical summer Tahoe scene.

        The media is painting a picture of Tahoe destroyed-lake clarity affected, homes destroyed and lives ruined. These aspects of the Angora fire are very much true and devastating outcomes for almost the entire community. Yet when the smoke cleared the other day, the mountain landscape view was almost just as beautiful as ever.  

      I can't tell you how many people have called me, even friends as far away as Australia, who are asking what they could do to help. If you want to help those who lost their homes, please do donate needed items and fundraise cash for the rebuilding efforts. Those efforts have been amazing and hundreds of thousands of dollars has already been raised for the victims of the fire. Yet there is another aspect to consider as well. If you want to help Tahoe, it is also important to visit Tahoe and support the local economy-this community needs it more than ever.   

        The media images playing over and over again of the Angora fire has caused so many people to cancel their vacation plans to come to Tahoe for the 4^th of July weekend. For the second largest holiday for this resort destination town, the overwhelming number of reservation cancellations is a devastating blow to an already struggling community.    

         The area that most tourists visit was hardly scathed by the fire. In fact, a good majority of the individuals who rented or owned homes in the burn areas chose to live there due to its tranquil nature off the beaten tourist path. So while they have lost their homes and many are starting from scratch to rebuild their lives, those that make their livelihoods off the tourism industry, do not need a second beating at trying to financially survive as well. Of course if you do come to Tahoe, be considerate and avoid the burn areas (which is very easily accomplished), to allow the victims to cope with their losses.  

           An interview that Susie Vasquez of the local newspaper Tahoe Daily Tribune wrote about on 6/30/07 really hit home for me. Missy Springer, manages the Camp Richardson resort and not only did she lose her home-but her two cats as well. Yet as quoted by Vasquez, Springer said "'I'll be watching the fireworks and thinking how lucky we all are,' she said. ‘It's important we keep moving forward, to show people that Lake Tahoe can come back.'" I agree entirely.   

          It is devastating and is going to be so hard for so many to move forward from this, but by coming up to Tahoe for a 4^th of July celebration, it does not mean the fire victims are going to be forgotten or neglected. On the contrary, I think that it is important for people to come to Tahoe for the 4^th of July weekend to celebrate that Tahoe is still here, it is still beautiful and it will recover. But above all come to Tahoe to celebrate the great efforts by firefighters to curtail the fire, support the multiple fundraising events occuring over the holiday in the basin and show support for those who lost almost everything.    

Michelle Morrison

 tahoehomedeals@gmail.com

South Lake Tahoe, CA