Chief’s Corner: Spring fire prevention tips for the Tahoe Basin

by Tahoe Daily Tribune | Mar 16, 2026 | Uncategorized

As winter loosens its grip on the Tahoe Basin and spring brings a welcome sense of renewal, it also signals the beginning of another important season for fire prevention. While there may still be some snow on the ground in parts of the basin, now is the time for residents to begin preparing their homes and properties for the warmer months ahead.

Living in a forested mountain community like South Lake Tahoe means fire prevention is part of everyday life. Taking a few simple steps early in the season can make a big difference in protecting your home, your neighbors, and our community.

Here are several important springtime fire safety reminders for Tahoe Basin residents:

• Check your smoke detectors Spring is a good time to test all smoke detectors in your home and replace batteries if needed. Smoke detectors should be installed in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every level of the home. Working smoke detectors provide early warning in an emergency and remain one of the most effective life-saving tools in a house fire.
• Clean dryer vents and exhaust ducts During the winter months we spend more time indoors, often running appliances like dryers more frequently. Lint buildup in dryer vents is a leading cause of home fires. Take time this spring to clean the lint trap, exhaust duct, and exterior vent to ensure safe operation.
• Prepare for fire season and maintain defensible space Pine needles, cones, and small branches accumulate throughout the winter around Tahoe homes. As conditions warm and dry, these fine fuels can ignite easily during fire season. Begin clearing pine needles and debris from decks, roofs, gutters, and around your home as conditions allow.
• Creating and maintaining defensible space is one of the most effective ways to protect homes in wildfire-prone areas like the Tahoe Basin. Residents can find helpful guidance and local resources at www.tahoelivingwithfire.org and are encouraged to contact their local fire agency to request a defensible space inspection.
• Turn off and inspect heat tape Many Tahoe homes rely on heat tape during winter to prevent pipes from freezing. If you have not already done so, unplug or turn off heat tape once freezing conditions are no longer expected. Take the opportunity to inspect the system for frayed wires, worn insulation, or damaged outlets so it will be ready for next winter.
• Inspect outdoor grills and fire pits As temperatures warm, many residents begin using outdoor grills again. Before your first barbecue of the season, check grills for grease buildup and inspect propane hoses for leaks. Position grills at least 10 feet away from structures and combustible materials.
• For charcoal users, always dispose of ashes in a metal ash can. Ash cans help prevent accidental fires caused by hot embers. Free ash cans are available through your local fire agency.
• Follow local burn regulations Outdoor burning in the Tahoe Basin is regulated and requires a valid residential burn permit. Burning is only allowed on designated permissive burn days determined by air quality agencies. Before burning yard debris, check daily burn status and follow all fire agency regulations. Never leave a fire unattended.
• Create or review your family escape plan Spring is also a great time to review your household emergency plan. Every family should have a fire escape plan with two ways out of every room and a designated meeting place outside the home. Practicing the plan ensures everyone knows what to do if an emergency occurs.

Fire prevention is a year-round responsibility in the Tahoe Basin, and spring is the ideal time to prepare for the months ahead. A few small actions taken today can significantly reduce fire risk and help protect your home, your neighbors, and the forests that make our community such a special place to live.

If you have questions about defensible space, burn permits, or home fire safety, please contact your local fire agency.

“Chief’s Corner” is a regular feature from the Lake Tahoe Basin Fire Chiefs, providing information, tips, and education on fire safety, emergency preparedness, and community resilience.

John McNamara is the Fire Chief of the Lake Valley Fire Protection District. For more information, please contact Chief McNamara or Fire Marshal Steve Pevenage at 530-577-3737.

Investment Corner: Wars and Investments

by Tahoe Daily Tribune | Mar 15, 2026 | Uncategorized

Two weeks ago, many of us were coming off of an emotional high from the Olympics. Today the news is dominated by war. What a rapid change of circumstances and emotions for all of us!

As with any major disruption, war can rattle both investment markets and investors. Markets tend to thrive on certainty, and wars often feel like the exact opposite of certainty. Frankly, I can’t blame anyone for wanting to pull some of their money out of the market right now–or any time a war breaks out.

However, more than a century of market history shows that wars and other geopolitical disruptions rarely derail long-term stock market investors, and in fact, are often still ongoing while the market surges.

A 2026 analysis by Kelly Bogdanova of RBC Wealth Management concluded that wars and conflicts generally do not prevent U.S. markets from continuing their long-term growth. There is often an initial period of uncertainty, which can lead to a temporary market drop, but that is most often followed by an upward surge of the market. In fact, in 19 of the 20 post-World War II military conflicts that the analysis covered, the S&P 500 Index fully recovered from its initial decline in an average of just 28 days. The market recovered surprisingly quickly, historically speaking.

Even when there were initial drops in the S&P 500, the average initial pullback was just 6%, not enough to be classified as a “market correction”.

The takeaways? Wars and other disruptions happen, and oftentimes the markets fall with the news. That’s part of investing. If you’re not ready to ride that out with your portfolio, you may be invested too aggressively. Investors who do ride out the storm have been rewarded again and again across history.

The best solution is to invest in a way that matches your goals, timelines and risk tolerance. Don’t let short-term events throw you off track and prevent you from achieving your goals. Invest in a way that is sustainable and appropriate for you, which may be different from the water cooler investing talk at work. Wars are bad enough for their human toll; don’t let them ruin your portfolio as well.

How ever you choose to handle market disruptions, invest smartly and invest well!

Larry Sidney is a Zephyr Cove-based Investment Advisor Representative. Information is found at https://palisadeinvestments.com/ or by calling 775-299-4600 x702. This is not a solicitation to buy or sell securities. Clients may hold positions mentioned in this article. Past Performance does not guarantee future results. Consult your financial advisor before purchasing any security.