Tahoe fire rules change

Lake Tahoe officials look to reduce wildfire dangers
STAFF REPORT

Posted: 10/12/2007

Lake Tahoe area fire chiefs and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency officials have agreed on steps to reduce wildfire danger.

Changes were recommended in a letter last month to the

California-Nevada Fire Commission, formed by the governors of the two states after the Angora Fire destroyed 254 homes outside South Lake Tahoe in June. In most cases, no changes to existing TRPA rules will be necessary to satisfy the fire chiefs' desires, officials said.

Changes include:

Raising from 6 to 14 inches the diameter of a tree than can be removed without a permit for defensible space.

Allowing fire agency reviews of plans to ensure adequate emergency vehicle access.

Maintaining the current practice of installing a 5-foot noncombustible "moat."

Allowing 100 feet of defensible space around structures, expanding to 300 feet on steep slopes.

Agency officials said they need more discussions about continuing to allow the use of using pine needles for erosion control in defensible space areas.