Disaster planning urged for Tahoe

In the wake of the Waterfall fire, lawmakers and land management agencies called Monday for comprehensive disaster planning in the Tahoe Basin.

"Waterfall has brought it all to a head," said Assembly Minority Leader Lynn Hettrick, R-Gardnerville.

The Legislative committee studying Tahoe Basin issues asked John Singlaub, executive director of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, to find consultants who could do a disaster response and evacuation plan for the entire basin and to get them an estimate of how much a plan would cost.

"As the only agency that does have basinwide responsibility, I guess I could see it coming," Singlaub said of the request.

He too agreed a master plan for handling a major fire or other event is vital to the preservation of Lake Tahoe and the safety of its residents.

The proposal came out of a lengthy discussion of the dangers Lake Tahoe residents and visitors could face if a fire such as Waterfall, which burned more than 8,000 acres along Carson City's west site, occurred there. Several speakers pointed out the dangers at Lake Tahoe including a lack of escape routes from the basin in case of emergency.

"Evacuation has always been a major concern," said Dick Mirgon, who manages emergency services for Douglas County. At the south end of the lake, he said, the only ways out are east and west Highway 50 and Kingsbury Grade.

"Our choices for evacuating people are very limited."

North Lake Tahoe Fire Chief Jim Linardos joined Mirgon arguing they need to take a "systems approach for the entire basin."

"We need a master mutual aid plan for the basin," he said, adding that must include not only fire agencies but police and other types of agencies.

Hettrick asked what cooperative agreements have been made between agencies pointing out that, if a fire blocked Highway 28 at Crystal Bay, Nevada officials might have to rely on California firefighters to come from the other direction.

Hettrick added that all counties, both states and all agencies need to cooperate to develop a "basinwide plan."

State Sen. Mark Amodei, R-Carson City, said the plan should reach beyond the basin itself. He pointed out the Waterfall fire was in danger of cresting the hills and burning into the Tahoe Basin last month.

"I hope some concern will be given to threats to the basin that are not in the basin," he said. "We need to recognize the lack of borders when it comes to fires."

And Assistant Washoe County Sheriff Jim Lopey said planning should also consider other types of disasters and dangers than just fires.

"We should plan for all hazards because this isn't just about fires," he said adding that could qualify the project for Homeland Security Department funding from the federal government.

Singlaub said he would begin the process by finding consultants able to do the planning.

Contact Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.