Hopefully something comes from the study that helps prevent future firestorms, perhaps mandatory fire-proof roofs, and making it easy for homeowners to remove fire fuel from around their houses, even if its trunk is over six inches in diameter.
Angora Fire: Averting another disaster
Bi-state panel to draft Tahoe fire rules as studies stress more home safety steps.
By Matt Weiser - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PDT Wednesday, July 25, 2007
The governors of California and Nevada today will announce the creation of a commission that will propose new rules to avoid disasters like the Angora blaze, the largest wildfire to strike the region in modern times.
The Angora fire burned 254 homes and 3,100 acres in South Lake Tahoe last month. The committee plan emerges just as preliminary studies are suggesting that forest-thinning projects helped slow the burn, but may not have preserved homes -- especially those without fire breaks or fire-resistant materials.
The new California-Nevada Tahoe Basin Fire Commission will be charged with examining forest and fire policy in the region and making recommendations by March 21. Its 23 members will be appointed equally by the governors, with one person chosen by the federal government.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to announce the new commission at a South Lake Tahoe ceremony today.
