Overview

Living in the Tahoe area carries fire risks for everyone. In Alpine Meadows there is only one way in and out from Highway 89.  Local officials advise us that we leave the Valley immediately when an evacuation order is issued, and that it is prudent to leave when an evacuation warning is issued.

Fire officials tell us that the greatest risk of a fire spreading quickly and potentially being out of control is on Red Flag days.  Red flag days are forecasted by the US Weather Service, often 48 hours in advance, and reflect a combination of high winds, high temperatures, and low humidity.  During these conditions it is recommended by the Fire Department that second homeowners and others avoid the Tahoe area if possible. If you are in the Tahoe area during a Red Flag day exhibit extreme caution and be prepared to evacuate on very short notice.

It is critical to both have an evacuation plan made prior to needing to evacuate and to practice your evacuation plan every year.  Fortunately there are resources available to let you know how to prepare, what to take, and how to learn of an evacuation advisory or order. 

Our Alpine Meadows Fire Safe Council attempts to work with local officials to conduct an evacuation information drill annually. This was done in 2019 and 2020 (via Zoom).  We are hoping this can be done in 2021 as well. Please make every effort to participate. 

Below are links to helpful evacuation information.  Information from Fire Safe Marin is included below. The emergency notification information listed on that site is not applicable to the Tahoe area, however the Tahoe Living with Fire does have accurate local information.

https://www.tahoelivingwithfire.com/get-prepared/

https://www.firesafemarin.org/evacuation

Evacuation recommendations from Squaw Valley Fire Department

We recommend you Download and Print the PDF version of the information below.

Attire and Equipment:

  • Cotton or wool clothes are more fire resistant than synthetics

  • Proper attire includes long pants, long sleeved shirt or jacket and boots

  • Carry gloves, a handkerchief to cover your face, water to drink and goggles.

  • Keep a flashlight and portable radio with you at all times

  • Tune in to a local radio station and listen for instructions

Family Members and Pets:

  • If possible, evacuate all family members not essential to preparing the house for wildfire first

  • Make sure to designate a meeting place and contact plan using cell phone, email or a relative in another area

  • Evacuate pets to a safe location - contact the Humane Society or Animal Control for assistance if needed

Vehicles:

  • Place vehicles in garage or in the driveway, pointing out. Leave the keys in the ignition!

  • Roll up the windows, close sunroof, close the doors - embers blowing into a vehicle will ignite it!

  • Open the garage door using the garage door opener, then disconnect the garage door opener drive and manually lower the door so that the door can be opened manually from the outside if needed.

Essential Items:

  • Important documents (financial records, insurance policies, birth certificates, medical records, etc)

  • Credit and ATM cards, insurance cards, address book, PDA, laptop computer

  • Drivers license, passport

  • Medications, prescription glasses, toiletries

  • Computer backup files - flash drive, external drive for desktop machine

  • Inventory of home contents (video before possible emergency), photographs of interior and exterior of house

  • Cell phone and charger

  • Change of clothing

  • Family photo albums and videos, family heirlooms

  • Place essential items in car

Inside the House:

  • Close all interior doors

  • Leave a light on in each room

  • Remove lightweight curtains and other combustible materials from around windows

  • Close fire-resistant drapes, shutters and blinds

  • Turn off all pilot lights

  • Move overstuffed furniture - couches and easy chairs - to the center of rooms

Outside the House:

  • Place combustible patio furniture in the house or garage

  • Shut off propane at the tank

  • Close all exterior vents if possible

  • Prop a ladder against the house to provide firefighters easy access to the roof

  • Make sure that all garden hoses are connected to faucets and attach nozzles

  • Close all exterior doors and windows, leaving all exterior doors unlocked

  • Turn on outside lights

  • If available and if there’s time cover windows, attic openings, and vents with 1/2" plywood

  • Wet down wood shakes or shingle roofs before leaving if possible

  • Fill trash cans and buckets with water and place where firefighters can find them

  • If you have an emergency water source (pool, pond, etc.) and/or portable pump, clearly mark its availability so it can be seen from street