Be aware that the region is regularly under fire “red flag” warnings throughout the summer and fall seasons. A red flag warning is issued by the National Weather Service to inform the public, firefighters, and land management agencies that conditions are ideal for wildland fire combustion, and rapid spread.  A warning is issued for weather events that may result in extreme fire behavior that will occur within 24 hours and could exist for the next 12 – 72 hours.  When these conditions are in effect, everyone within the region must adhere to stringent restrictions and help minimize the chance of a fire beginning.  On “red flag” days, all forms of open flames are prohibited, including campfires.  Keep an eye out for red flags in front of businesses and in visible locations throughout the region to notify everyone that a red flag warning has been issued.

PROTECT YOUR HEALTH:

Smoke from wildfires across California and Nevada carry tiny particles that can damage the lungs, especially for those with existing respiratory conditions. If there is smoke in the North Tahoe region during your visit, consider the Air Quality Index (AQI) before heading outside.  When conditions are above 100, public health officials and air quality experts begin to recommend staying indoors and limiting outdoor exertion.

For people who want to visit North Lake Tahoe and recreate outside, the current virus situation and the sometimes hazardous air from wildfires raise questions about what protection to use, and when. Here’s what the California Department of Public Health advises:

• Wear a cloth face covering if you’re going to be within six feet of others to limit the spread of COVID-19. Cloth masks and surgical masks do not protect the wearer from fine particulate matter in wildfire smoke.
• Wear an N95 respirator if you need to be outdoors in smoky air for an extended period of time.

Other considerations:

• N95 respirators provide protection from both wildfire smoke and viral particles but should currently be reserved for health care workers treating COVID-19 patients.
• N95 respirator masks must be properly fitted to be effective, and don’t usually work on people with facial hair.
• People with lung or heart conditions should consult their doctor before using an N95 mask, which can make breathing more difficult.
• Masks with one-way vents can reduce inhalation of smoke particles and viral particles for the wearer but do little to protect others from COVID-19. Cloth coverings are recommended for preventing COVID-19 spread.
• Children, pregnant women, older adults and people with heart and lung problems are especially susceptible to smokey air.

The best way to protect yourself from both wildfire smoke and COVID-19 is to stay indoors.

HERE ARE WAYS YOU CAN HELP:

• Donate to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund: Due to COVID, fire evacuees are going into hotels rather than shelters, but they are running out of rooms. You can also donate rewards points to the Red Cross to help.
• Donate to a Community Foundation: Community foundations get resources to local NGOs that support both the immediate relief work and the longer term recovery for families that have lost homes and businesses. Under the “relief fund” tab in the above link is a list of vetted community foundations and organizations that are supporting local recovery efforts.
• Check Fire Evacuee for the free Open Homes service provided by AirBNB for those in the region.

If you would like to learn more about some of the history of wildfire, impacts of climate change and the State’s fire mitigation strategy, Learn more HERE!