Fire Season Awareness

Wildfire season is already underway in the Tahoe-Truckee Region. A low snowpack this past winter and infrequent rain events this spring have led to low moisture content in the trees and foliage of the local forests. Wildfire season typically lasts between June and November, during this time, all residents should be ready to act in the event of a wildfire. Below is information on how you can stay informed and prepared during this wildfire season:

Fire Danger Rating System
Tahoe Donner has a Fire Danger Rating sign at each entrance to the Tahoe Donner neighborhood. These signs are updated daily based on the US Forest Service Fire Danger Rating for our area. Members can also find the current fire danger forecast by going to the USFS Wildland Fire Assessment System Website and select the “FORECAST” image for “California-North.”

Red Flag Warnings
A Red Flag Warning is issued by the National Weather Service whenever there is a combination of the following conditions in our region:

• Strong Winds
• High Temperatures
• Low Humidity Levels (20% and below)
• Dry Fuels
• Possibility of Dry Lightning Strikes

When a Red Flag Warning is issued, avoid any activities that would potentially cause a spark near dry vegetation such as lawn mowing, target shooting, driving on dry grass and operating heavy equipment. The Truckee Fire Protection District warns all residents to be prepared to evacuate on Red Flag Days by taking the following actions:

• Keep a phone near your bedside for emergency alerts
• Park vehicles pointing out towards the roadway
• Have an Emergency Go Bag packed
• Know how to open your garage if power is unavailable
• Keep pets nearby
• Have a plan to transport animals and livestock

NIXLE Emergency Alerts for Truckee
All Truckee emergency services use the NIXLE alert system to communicate with residents about emergencies such as wildfires, vehicle accidents and other community incidents. We encourage members to sign up for text alerts by going to the NIXLE Registration page or text our zip code (96161) to 888777. 

Town of Truckee Fire Ban
The Town of Truckee has instituted a fire ban for the summer season of 2021. This ban includes all residential campfires that burn anything other than gas and BBQs that burn charcoal briquettes, wood or lump charcoal, including the Big Green Egg brand BBQs. If a member notices a wood fire or charcoal BBQ in the association, they should call the Truckee Fire Protection District to resolve the issue. Learn more at truckeefire.org/fire-ban-faq.

Tahoe Donner ALERTWildfire Camera
Last year, Tahoe Donner sponsored the installation of a wildfire detection camera on Donner Ridge, owned and managed by ALERTWildfire. For 2021, ALERTWildfire added a new camera installation on Alder Hill, which compliments the Donner Ridge camera to provide full viewshed coverage of the Tahoe Donner community and added coverage for the larger Truckee/North Tahoe communities. These cameras, along with hundreds of other mountaintop cameras across California, are monitored by the ALERTWildfire network for any signs of wildfire in our area. The Tahoe Donner camera and any other camera in California can be viewed by visiting ALERTWildfire Tahoe Donner Camera.

No Smoking at Tahoe Donner
There is a “No Smoking” policy at all Tahoe Donner facilities and within the trail systems. 

Additional Information for Membership
Information on Nevada County’s zoned evacuation program for Wildfires can be found at the Nevada County Evacuation Program webpage.

Tahoe Donner Emergency Preparedness Information can be found online at the TDA Community Emergency Preparedness webpage.

Reno National Weather Service forecasts can be found at NOAA Reno.

View more from the Truckee Fire Protection District at truckeefire.org.