During a wildfire, firefighters can't do their job to protect a house, if a homeowner doesn't do theirs by building defensible space.Â
The North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District held a block party with residents to discuss this important issue. They shared information about building defensible space around your home and firefighters talked about the threat for wildfires burning in Lake Tahoe.
"This summer we're asking Lake Tahoe basin residents and visitors to think first. Think first whether you're a visitor camping and need to make sure you're maintaining the campfire correctly or you're barbequing in your backyard," said Forest Schaffer, a Forester with the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District.
One spark can start a fire. And embers, the hot burning pieces of material flying around can land all over the place.
"By creating a 5 foot , non-combustible zone around your property, what that means is when those embers hit the side of your house and fall down, there's nothing to burn," said Schaffer.Â
Schaffer says it's crucial to create defensible space around your home.Â
"Removing pine needles around the house, removing fire wood, pruning trees, thinning shrubs, so the fire burns with less intensity and is less likely to ignite the home," said Schaffer.Â
Steve Sidells lives in Incline Village and cleans out his gutters where pine needles collect.
"That's where embers that can come from another fire nearby can touch off a blaze. And so the important thing is to  keep the gutters clean," said Sidells.Â
He also recommends the neighborhood gets to know one another so they can all help each other out during the event of a wildfire.Â
Sidells adds, "So many people don't live here full time. They don't understand the risks and dangers of fire. It's important that for the sake of everyone in a neighborhood, that everyone participates in keeping their property safe."
And while having defensible space is important, firefighters say you should also have an evacuation plan in place.
"Sign up for emergency alerts, receive notice that it's time to evacuate and then have everything ready that they need to be able to get out safely so that emergency responders can get in and work on suppressing the fire," said Schaffer.Â
More Information about Defensible Space:Â
