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Best Wishes and Hugs to all those in the Tahoe fire path

By
Real Estate Agent with Windermere Bay Area Properties

Just wanted to send out some positive thoughts and let those of you in the South Lake Tahoe area that we're thinking of you , wishing for a fast resolution to this fire.  We have a family home on the North Shore and it could just as easily be happening to us...

For those of you not following the news, as of Monday afternoon the so called "Angora" fire has burned over 2500 acres, and has burned more than 225 homes.  "This is the fire we've been fearing" said a local fire district representative.  This is the worst fire this region has seen in over half a century.  Entire streets in the South Lake Tahoe region have been burned to the ground.  More information can be found at the Sierra Sun site: http://www.sierrasun.com/ or at http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/.  You can get continuous coverage by clicking here.

This whole thing is bring up a very "hot" topic of clearing the forests of fuel.  Some are saying this fire has spread so fast and so easily because we are years behind in clearing the forests of the fuel these fires so desperately need. 

If you live in a fire prone area there are some things you can do.  Here from an excerpt from a Sierra Sun article:

"It's extremely important to get defensible space; there are not enough engines to go around for all the houses, they have to depend on the materials and design to help," said Battalion Chief Dave Ruben of the North Tahoe Fire Protection District.

Engine crews have had to pick and choose the homes they protect, and often skip those without defensible space, Miller said.

Roofing material is also important - while a noncombustible roof has a 70 percent survival rate, a wood-shingle roof only has a 20 percent survival rate, Pang said.

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As REALTORS, perhaps if we have clients living in high fire danger areas, maybe we should take this time to remind our clients of these tips, and/or provide a list of service providers of those that can provide help in this regard.

Here's an article and a recap of that article about what you can do too, from Woodside's Fire Department website:

http://www.woodsidefire.org/safehome.html

1. Replace untreated wood shake roofs

2. Remove all debris and dead vegetation from roof and gutter on a regular basis

3. Remove tree limbs within 10' of your home and roof

4. Be sure to install screens on your attic and foundation vents

5. Install a spark arrestor on your chimney

6. Don't store combustible material too near your home i.e. firewood

7. Be sure you have your address visible from the street

8. Remove all dead and overgrown vegatation

9. Create defensible space around your home - no less than 30 feet, and depending upon the slope of your lot it may increase your need for defensible space to as much as 100 feet.

Comments (5)

Lynda Eisenmann
Preferred Home Brokers - Brea, CA
Broker Associate ,CRS,GRI,SRES, Brea,CA, Orange Co

Hi Catherine,

Good stuff, I think I'll "borrow" it for my next newsletter. And yes, my heart goes out to the folks in Lake Tahoe, it's such a spectacular area. I'm afraid this will be a challenging year in CA everything is so dry everywhere.

I see you're in Walnut Creek, also a beautiful place. I was in Concord last week-end for a family graduation.

Jun 25, 2007 03:17 PM
Catherine Myers
Windermere Bay Area Properties - Walnut Creek, CA
Walnut Creek, CA Real Estate
Oh Lynda, how neat you were up here!  I actually do live in Concord, my office is in Walnut Creek and I've been around the area for just about forever. You're right though, I fear we're "in for it" this year.. been so dry, so early, no rain for a couple months around here... 4th of July is coming, I hope everyone stays safe.  Would love any referrals you have for my area Lynda! And I'll bookmark you for any referrals to Orange County I may have.
Jun 25, 2007 03:19 PM
Mary Warren
Las Vegas, NV

Hi Catherine,

Thanks for posting this...I've been thinking of, and praying for, the Tahoe residents most of today.  My heart goes out to everyone. 

Jun 25, 2007 05:14 PM
Janet Guilbault
Platinum Home Mortgage Company - Walnut Creek, CA
San Francisco Bay Area Direct Mortgage Lender
Thank you for bringing attention to those that are being impacted by the Tahoe fire. Good suggestions as well.
Jun 26, 2007 06:36 AM
Paul Gapski
Berkshire Hathaway / Prudential Ca Realty - El Cajon, CA
619-504-8999,#1 Resource SD Relo
 

Thank you for sharing your blog; we need Real estate Professionals to share their comments and information regarding their markets and experiences. Thanks again from beautiful Sunny San Diego

Sep 20, 2012 02:00 AM