Category: Fire Prevention Tips

Lake Tahoe, Truckee Welcoming Tourists To Return This Fall

Things to do in the Fall in Lake Tahoe and Truckee

As the fall season kicks into full gear, the North Lake Tahoe and Truckee communities are welcoming the return of “tourist season” that was put on hold as our courageous firefighters and support teams focused on saving the Lake and surrounding Sierra.

Within the message to all to come to enjoy our colorful season comes an equal message to come back safely.

Below you will find important information brought you via this blog from our architect firm in Truckee and Lake Tahoe that is posted on the VisitTruckeeTahoe.com website. We encourage all our clients and friends to take a few moments to read this important information. Within the context are some new programs that we think you may want to be a part of as you return to the High Sierra to enjoy our colorful season and support our local businesses who will welcome you with open arms!

2021 Sustainable Truckee Programs & Partners

(1) Daily Truckee Travel Alert

We coordinate with several partners and land management agencies to ensure you get key alerts, safety messages, and information about wildfire preparedness, weather, business status, trails, events and more for Truckee, California. This page is maintained daily with need to know information for visitors and residents. Know before you go.

VIEW TRUCKEE TRAVEL ALERT

(2) Sustainable Truckee – Trail Host Ambassador Program

Ambassadors are stationed and patrolling key Truckee trailheads to educate and inform trail users on how to Recreate Responsibly. In addition, ambassadors keep a sharp eye out for illegal campfires. Managing partner Truckee Trails Foundation. Funding partner Truckee Fire Protection District.

(3) Sustainable Truckee – Trailhead Signage Program

Signs created in partnership with USFS, Truckee Fire Protection District, and the Truckee Trails Foundation are posted at 18 trailheads with the objectives of mitigating wildfire danger, trash and cultivating a friendly/positive outdoor experience. Funding partner Truckee Fire Protection District.

(4) Sustainable Truckee – Outdoor Recreation Collaborative (STORC)

A collaborative that brings key Truckee stakeholders together to provide support and resources, establish unified messaging, and solve issues around high-use, peak period outdoor recreation. Funding partners: Visit Truckee-Tahoe, Nevada County, Town of Truckee, Truckee Donner Land Trust, Truckee Tahoe Airport District.

(5) Sustainable Truckee – Historic Downtown Flagpole Banners

Along the main street, you will see multiple outdoor nature and wildlife images on lampposts with the message “Take Care”. Sixty-one poles promote a protect, preserve and take care of our natural environment message.

(6) Local Voices Making Climate Choices

Sustainable Truckee features Truckee-Tahoe locals and highlights how our community lives sustainably. Everyone, including visitors, are welcome to join!

MEET LOCALS & JOIN US!

(7) Focused Visitor Messaging “Recreate Responsibly”

We’re joining a local, regional, and national effort to amplify the Recreate Responsibly guidelines and encourage responsible travel.

HOW TO RECREATE RESPONSIBLY

(8) Truckee-Tahoe Traveler Responsibility Pledge

A regional pledge that encourages visitors to become responsible travelers through six action items: Become a Steward of Truckee-Tahoe, Respect the Environment, Stay Educated, Keep Wildlife Wild, Be Fire Safe, Demonstrate Mindful Travel.

TAKE THE PLEDGE

(9) Voluntourism Opportunities

A list of easy ways to get involved and volunteer with local, Truckee-Tahoe nonprofits. Meet locals and spend a few hours doing something completely unique and memorable on your vacation. On your own, and “drop in” opportunities available.

VIEW VOLUNTOURISM LIST

(10) Truckee Outdoor Recreation Summer Map

Comprehensive trail map detailing safety, trail etiquette, and orientation to popular and off the beaten path trails in and nearby Truckee. In development.

On behalf of our team at our architect firm serving Lake Tahoe, Truckee, and Carson City, NV, we look forward to sharing all there is to do and see in North Lake Tahoe and Truckee, CA this fall.

James P. Borelli
Founder/Principal
Borelli Architecture
Lake Tahoe / Truckee
jim@borelliarchitecture.com
775.831.3060

How to Help Families Who Lost Their Home During the Caldor Fire

As of this morning, things are looking much brighter for those whose homes were in the path of the Caldor Fire. For those who won’t return as their homes are beyond repair or no longer exist, we are reaching out to all our clients and connections to share this important post from our friends at TahoeFund.org.

Please take the time to review this announcement and if you want to contribute, just follow the links for complete details.

Caldor Relief – How You Can Help

As we are all watching the Caldor Fire situation, many people are asking how they can help. Although firefighters and first responders greatly appreciate the generosity and kindness of donations, firefighting agencies are fully supplied with everything they need. Donations from the public are logistically complicated to accept and firefighting agencies do not have the capacity to do so.

Locally, Tahoe Family Solutions and Cornerstone Church are accepting goods to support family needs. Stop by the TFS Thrift Shop on Southwood Boulevard for the most current list of things they are distributing to families throughout Lake Tahoe.

If you would like to offer assistance to those affected by the Caldor Fire, donations are best directed towards evacuees. Here are funds that are helping victims of the Caldor Fire:

El Dorado Community Foundation – The El Dorado County Community Foundation set up a Caldor Fire Fund. All donations go to families and individuals impacted by the fire. You can donate here. (https://edcf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create?funit_id=1792)

The American Red Cross – The American Red Cross is staffing evacuation centers and providing support for evacuees of the Caldor Fire. You can donate here (https://www.redcross.org/donate/cm/abc10-pub.html/).

Placer Food Bank – The Placer Food Bank is on the front lines of emergency food response/distribution to those impacted by the River and Caldor Fires. You can donate here. (https://donate.placerfoodbank.org/for/pfb?_ga=2.168769441.1692671111.1585586084-667740226.1583304010)

Food Bank of Northern Nevada – The Food Bank of Northern Nevada is offering food assistance for Caldor Fire evacuees. You can donate here. (https://give.fbnn.org/for/zcjkyj/)

Monitor Incident Information – Stay up to date on the current acreage, containment statistics, evacuation information, and more by visiting the incident link tree (https://linktr.ee/IMT6). For the latest Caldor Incident information, attend a live CAL FIRE AEU community meeting daily at 5 PM at www.facebook.com/CALFIREAEU.

On behalf of our team at our architect firm serving Lake Tahoe, Truckee, and Carson City, NV, we encourage you to support our community and families who need it most.

James P. Borelli
Founder/Principal
Borelli Architecture
Lake Tahoe / Truckee
jim@borelliarchitecture.com
775.831.3060

Mountain Modern Home Designs Trending in Lake Tahoe

Mountain Modern Home Design by Borelli Architecuture in Lake Tahoe

As the world seems to be flocking to the High Sierra for all the right reasons, our designers at Borelli Architecture are seeing a dramatic increase in the appeal of the Mountain Modern home design in and around Lake Tahoe.

Right now, we are working on a project in the higher elevation of the prestigious community of Incline Village, NV. The photo pictured above is the rendering of a 4,600 square foot contemporary residence. In addition to the spectacular lake views, the property affords a setting that deserves expansive windows and natural exterior materials that include cedar siding, Ledgeston, and standing seam metal roofing.

The inside reflects the owners’ desires to live a comfortable, year-round lifestyle. Located on the lower floor is a large, two-story kitchen/dining/living area that opens up to a partially covered outdoor living area. The master bedroom suite and den are also located on the lower floor.

Upstairs was carefully planned and designed for company – which is a must when you live in one of the most beautiful places on the planet!

The upper floor has three guest bedroom suites, a kid’s bunkroom/TV room, and a workout room that can also double as a guest bedroom suite.

If you are thinking about building or remodeling a home in the mountains, and have a specific interest to locate an architect firm in Lake Tahoe that designs mountain modern homes, we welcome the opportunity to show you our portfolio.

Feel free to reach out at any time for a complimentary consultation.

James P. Borelli
Founder/Principal
Borelli Architecture
Lake Tahoe / Truckee
jim@borelliarchitecture.com
775.831.3060

How to Get Trees Removed from Your Property in Tahoe

Within our last blog we provided you with details on how to prepare your home for wildfire season. Within a week’s time, we received calls at our architecture firm in Incline Village and North Lake Tahoe as to how to get trees removed from property. So we did a little research. The following information was gleaned from the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency website – to which we will give full credit for the content. In addition to the details below, there is lots of information on their site to help you be a good steward of the land.

When it comes to securing a permit to build your home, or other environmental requirements that are mandated with the Tahoe Basin, our team at Borelli Architect firm in Lake Tahoe and Carson City provides that service to you. For a complete list of the benefits that come with working with our team, click into our website right here.

In the meantime, here are the specifics as to how to get trees removed from your property with the Basin.

When is a tree removal permit needed?

Tree Size

A permit is required to remove live trees greater than 14 inches diameter at breast height (DBH) as long as the house is not along the lakeshore.

If the house is along the lakeshore, a permit is required to remove trees greater than 6 inches DBH between the house and the lake. Trees not between the house and the lake only need a tree removal permit if they are live trees greater than 14 inches DBH.

Trees of any size that were planted or retained as part of a permit, or that are in a Stream Environment Zone or backshore area, require a permit for removal. The backshore area is the sensitive area adjacent to the Lake.

Dead Trees

Removal of a dead tree that could fall on a house does not require a permit. A conifer is considered to be dead when it doesn’t have any green needles. A deciduous tree must be determined to be dead by a qualified forester. To remove a dead tree that isn’t near a house, contact a TRPA forester to determine if a permit is required.

Substantial Trimming

A permit is required for removal of branches from the upper 2/3 of the total height of the tree, unless the branch:

Is within 10 feet of a chimney outlet, building or deck
Is rubbing or pulling on utility lines within your property boundary (always consult your power company before removing branches near utility lines)
Is dead

Sensitive Areas

Any manipulation of live vegetation within SEZs or the backshore of Lake Tahoe, including trees and shrubs, requires TRPA review.

Construction Projects

Trees that are permitted for removal as part of a development project do not need a separate tree removal permit.

How to Determine DBH

DBH stands for “diameter at breast height.” Breast height is 4.5 feet off the ground, measured on the uphill side of the tree. Measure around the outside of the tree at breast height to determine the circumference, and then divide that number by 3.14 to get the diameter. A tree with a diameter of 14 inches has a circumference of 43.9 inches.

In conclusion, never hesitate to contact our architecture and design firm in Tahoe. We have lived and worked in the Basin for over 30 years and would be happy to answer any questions you may have about mountain home design or the numerous regulations that you need to adhere to when you are ready to build or remodel your home in Lake Tahoe.

James P. Borelli
Founder/Principal
Borelli Architecture
Lake Tahoe / Truckee
jim@borelliarchitecture.com
775.831.3060

Fire Prevention Tips – Living with Fire

With an extremely low snow year behind us, fire prevention and preparation is top of mind for all of us who live in the Tahoe Basin.

In an effort to help us all be prepared, I am sharing a blog from last year that is just as relevant, if not more so, this year.

The following article written by Tia Rancourt, Public Education/Information Officer, for the North Lake Tahoe Fire District. If you would like more information, please contact her directly at 775-813-8106, trancourt@nltfpd.net

WEATHER & FIRE SAFETY INFORMATION – PREPARING FOR FIRE EVACUATION

As we have been experiencing lately, fires started by lightning peak in the summer months and in the late afternoon and early evening. Know what to do to keep you and your family safe when storms strike.

If you can hear thunder, you are within striking distance of lightning. Look for shelter inside a home, large building, or a hard-topped vehicle right away.
Do not go under trees for shelter. There is no place outside that is safe during a thunderstorm.
Wait at least 30 minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder before leaving your shelter.
Stay away from windows and doors. Stay off porches.
There is no safe place outside. Places with only a roof on sports fields, golf courses, and picnic areas are not safe during a lightning storm. Small sheds should not be used.
If a person is struck by lightning, call 9-1-1. Get medical help right away.

Facts & figures from National Fire Protection Association:

During 2007-2011, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated annual average of 22,600 fires started by lightning. These fires caused annual averages of
- 9 civilian deaths
- 53 civilian injuries
- $451 million in direct property damage
Fires started by lightning peak in the summer months and in the late afternoon and early evening.
For more information on lightning safety please visit www.nfpa.org.

Please keep in mind that with the drier than normal conditions this summer, it is important to create and maintain defensible space around your home. Visit tahoelivingwithfire.com for more information and “Fight fire with a plan.”

Prepare your family, property, and possessions now before a wildfire starts by creating a plan:

Develop a family evacuation plan
Create and maintain defensible space
Assemble a Go-bag and a disaster supply kit for your home and vehicle
Sign up for emergency notifications for residents and visitors and stay informed
Reduce the threat of wildfire by learning about embers and how to harden your home.

If you plan on water recreation activities on Lake Tahoe, please remember the temperature can be colder than most, as it is an Alpine lake. Whether boating, jet skiing, kayaking, rafting, paddle boarding or swimming, it is important to inform yourself about the colder temperatures and the forecasted weather as it can change very quickly, please visit National Weather Service.

On behalf of our entire team at Borelli Architecture in Incline Village on Lake Tahoe’s North Shore, we encourage you to take preventative measures as noted above. Be safe.

James P. Borelli
Founder/Principal
Borelli Architecture
Lake Tahoe / Truckee
jim@borelliarchitecture.com
775.831.3060