A timely question with the major fires in Southern California, and the recent fire experience of our neighbors to the West, South Lake Tahoe. The Valley has a variety of natural structure and personal safety threats depending on where in the Valley you are located. Earthquake faults are identified throughout the Valley. Both the East and West forks of the Carson River have flooded, substantially in the past decade. Fires are a threat anywhere, especially in drought conditions as we are presently experiencing. Fires are more of a risk in the neighborhoods with trees, but are certainly a threat regardless of where you live with all of the available dry fuels.
Appropriate precaution can minimize the risk of building and living in the Carson Valley. If you are in a flood zone that will actually have high, fast moving water in the event of a flood there are things you can/must do to minimize the threat to your residential structure. Likewise, if building near an earthquake fault one must at the very least consider the size of the fault, its historic activity, and the soil type on which you are planning to build. The threat of fire is everywhere. You have an obligation not only to yourself and your family to keep your home fire safe, but to your neighbors as well to minimize the risk of having your entire neighborhood burn.
Let us remember, too, human threats from animals. Some regions of the U.S. have horrific wild animals that give one pause when considering a walk in the wild. The Carson Valley is not one. Most of the animals we have here cohabitate with man very well. One might see an occasional black widow, a rattler, bobcat, or, of course, a bear. Those animals will generally do what they can to avoid you.
Thankfully, our natural challenges are few and readily remedied. We don't have hurricanes, tornadoes, deadly snakes, regular flooding, 120 degree heat, minus 50 degree cold, drive-by shootings, avalanches, mudslides, killer bees and other obnoxious/dangerous insects, overwhelming humidity, volcanoes, or scientists predicting that we will end up in the ocean. We've just enough to keep life interesting, but not threatening. Just enough to keep us in touch with our core biological beings without losing our humanity.
Our Advice: When considering buying a house, or just plain wondering about the relative safety of the home you are living in, think about your exposure to Mother Nature. Are there trees up against your house? Is the home built on one of the many earthquake faults that run through the Valley? Are you in a floodway and not built up? Are there older trees near the house that might break in a wind storm? Look around and determine your exposure. Figure first what it will take to make the structure safe, and then look to protecting interior contents. A little planning will go a long ways.
While enjoying the natural beauty of the Carson Valley remember you can't fight Mother Nature. Do your best to cohabitate with her and you and your family will be safe and happy.
Experience is Priceless! Lisa Wetzel & Jim Valentine, RE/MAX Realty Affiliates, http://www.carsonvalleyland.com/ or http://www.carsonvalleyremax.com/ , email us at carsonvalleyland@hotmail.com 775-781-5472.
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