Angora detours and donations

By Cathy Locke - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 pm PDT Tuesday, July 31, 2007

A road detour is in effect through Saturday near South Lake Tahoe due to Angora fire debris removal.

The El Dorado County Sheriff's Department's Office of Emergency Services announced that traffic will be detoured off Mount Rainier Drive for the safety of the public and work crews. Motorists are directed to use Mount Shasta Circle from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., while debris removal crews are working in the area, according to a Sheriff's Department news release.

The California Integrated Waste Management Board, in coordination with El Dorado County, has committed $7 million to aid in removing tons of scorched debris on forest lands and private properties, according to the news release.

More information about the Angora Debris Removal Project is available at www.ciwmb.ca.gov/disaster/angorafire07 or www.co.el-dorado.ca.us/Angora.

Individuals, faith-based groups, businesses and community organizations also have raised $104,000 to aid fire victims through the Angora Fire Fund "Locals for Locals" campaign, and an additional $160,000 has been promised, according to a recent news release issued by the fund's board of directors.

"The fund was set up to receive and distribute monies locally so that clubs, corporations and individuals would have a place to put their donations without worrying about whether a large percentage of the contributions would be spent on administrative costs or end up elsewhere," board member Wendy David said in the news release.

She said the fund does not have paid staff members nor does it pay for office space. David said the 11-member board has been meeting every Thursday afternoon for about three hours, with subcommittees meeting in between to speed the assistance process.

Board member John Packer said in the news release that $10,000 was distributed by the Sierra Community Church and a second round of checks was mailed Friday.

The Angora Fire Fund is accepting applications and distributing funds to people who lost their primary residence in the fire. Upon verification of residency, the fund provides up to $1,000 per household to assist with immediate needs. Fire survivors who have immediate needs must submit applications by Aug. 30 to receive assistance through the first round of distributions.

A second distribution round for more long-term needs will begin in the fall, based on available resources, according to the news release.

Donations to the Angora Fire Fund may be made online at www.helptahoe.com or in person at any US Bank. Contributions also may be mailed to the Angora Fire Fund (Locals for Locals), P.O. Box 17640, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96151.

Applications for funds are available at the California or Nevada visitor centers, or at board members' businesses. Board members are listed at www.helptahoe.com, and the application is available on the Web site.