Day of fun launches Wildfire Awareness Week

Lake Tahoe fire protection agencies all agree defensible space isn’t a bunch of hot air. To back up the importance of defensible space, they’re organizing a free Wildfire Awareness Week kick-off event that includes free tethered Smokey Bear hot air balloon rides (weather permitting), firefighter photo opportunities, a pancake breakfast and more on May 25 from 8am–noon outside MontBleu in Stateline.

Galvanizing around raising awareness of reducing fuels to reduce the risk of wildfire, local fire protection agencies including the U.S. Forest Service, regional fire districts, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and Nevada Division of Forestry are hosting the free kick-off event to mark the start of Lake Tahoe’s 2013 Wildfire Awareness Week, May 26–June 2.

“Fire Chiefs around Lake Tahoe are concerned about an extraordinarily dry summer and the high risk of wildfire this year,” says Eric Guevin, fire marshal of the Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District, said in a press release. “There are easy steps homeowners can take to reduce the fuels and reduce the risk of wildfire invading their property while increasing the safety of their family, and we have an exciting event planned to help them learn how.”

The kick-off event will feature free family activities including tethered hot air balloon rides (weather permitting), photos with Smokey Bear, a pancake breakfast, information booths and defensible space demonstrations geared to provide Lake Tahoe homeowners with tips and money saving tricks to create defensible space around their property.

For more information, call (530) 542.2571.