Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities December 2025 Newsletter

The image represents the Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities, focusing on community collaboration for wildfire preparedness.

December Newsletter

In 2025, Tahoe RCD’s Fire Adapted Communities program continued to support residents through education, defensible space, home hardening, and wildfire resiliency. The program worked with fire districts and other local agencies to expand outreach and community engagement across the Tahoe Basin.

Neighborhood Engagement

Over the last couple of months, FAC has continued outreach and engagement efforts. One milestone was the addition of the Lower Washoan neighborhood to Firewise. They hosted their first work day, engaging neighbors in conversations about why defensible space and home hardening are essential in building a more wildfire resilient community. The event helped bring residents together to take action through defensible space and shared responsibility.

A small gathering under a tent in front of a house, with people interacting and items on a table. Pine trees in the background.
Community members engaging with neighborhood leader at the Lower Washoan work day.

As a whole, outreach and engagement efforts grew significantly this year. Through close collaboration with local agencies and fire districts, the Fire Adapted Communities program participated in 138 community events, more than tripling direct community contacts from 1,689 in 2024 to 5,045 in 2025. These efforts continue to strengthen neighborhood connections and empower residents to prepare for wildfire year-round.

There are currently 105 Fire Adapted Communities across the Tahoe Basin, as well as 74 Firewise USA® recognized sites with 11 more in progress. These communities are made possible by 198 motivated neighborhood leaders who help raise awareness, share best practices, and inspire neighbors to take action. 

As a result of defensible space work over the year, there were 4,868 chipping services provided and 12,600 defensible space inspections completed.

 Photos shared from agencies around the basin highlighting their wildfire resiliency successes!

A woman and three firefighters pose in front of a red fire truck in a wooded area, with a decorative sign nearby.
An outdoor gathering under blue tents with people engaging, signing documents, and discussing topics, surrounded by trees.
A speaker addresses a seated audience outdoors, surrounded by tall trees and a wooden lodge, suggesting a community event.
A woman in a pink shirt interacts with another at an outdoor table covered with materials about fire safety.
Two individuals are discussing something outdoors in a wooded area near a cabin, surrounded by young trees and clear blue sky.
A person in a yellow jacket is shoveling snow near a smoky area in a forest, likely managing a fire in a snowy landscape.
A woman and three firefighters pose in front of a red fire truck in a wooded area, with a decorative sign nearby.
An outdoor gathering under blue tents with people engaging, signing documents, and discussing topics, surrounded by trees.
A speaker addresses a seated audience outdoors, surrounded by tall trees and a wooden lodge, suggesting a community event.
A woman in a pink shirt interacts with another at an outdoor table covered with materials about fire safety.
Two individuals are discussing something outdoors in a wooded area near a cabin, surrounded by young trees and clear blue sky.
A person in a yellow jacket is shoveling snow near a smoky area in a forest, likely managing a fire in a snowy landscape.

 

Did You Know?

Fire Adapted Communities efforts don’t stop when fire season ends. Neighborhood leaders, residents, and partner agencies stay engaged throughout the entire year by planning projects, hosting educational events, and updating emergency preparedness plans. This continuity helps make communities more resilient as wildfire preparedness is not a one-time task, but an ongoing commitment.

A group discussion featuring community members and officials, likely about local issues, with two police officers present.

Staying Engaged 

One way you can stay engaged year round is by following Tahoe Living With Fire on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with the latest prescribed fire updates, tips, and resources!

You can also check out our website, Tahoe Living With Fire, for up to date resources including the Neighborhood Leader Library, designed to provide community leaders with the tools and resources they need to empower their neighborhoods in wildifre prepardness. 

 

Additional Resources

 

Upcoming Events

  • FAC Webinars – Come meet local agencies as they answer questions explaining their work and wildfire resiliency efforts in the basin. Agencies include The United States Forest Service, California Tahoe Conservancy, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, and Fire Adapted Communities. Dates TBA.
  • Wildfire Safety Expo – Saturday, May 30th 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Join us for a community education and preparedness event.
  • Fire Adapted Nevada (FAN) Summit – February 23rd & 24th in Reno, Nevada. Join the summit to hear expert speakers, engage in workshops, participate in discussions, and network! Register here. 
  • Firefest – Mark your calendar for next years Firefest - September 26th!
  • Upcoming community meetings - visit our calendar for the meeting schedule.

 

As we transition into the new year, we want to acknowledge everything you have achieved so far. Wildfire preparedness is strongest when neighbors work together. Thanks to the dedication of residents, neighborhood leaders, and partner agencies, the Fire Adapted Communities program across the Tahoe Basin continues to grow, connect, and take meaningful action to mitigate wildfire risk. From clearing defensible space, to coming on as a new Fire Adapted Community, to engaging in meaningful discussions about the safety of our community, these collective efforts are building a safer, more resilient Tahoe.

Get involved today by joining your Fire Adapted Community, attend an upcoming event or webinar, volunteering at a neighborhood work day, or taking steps to create defensible space around your home. Together, we can take proactive steps today to protect our homes, neighborhoods, and the Tahoe Basin for years to come.

 

Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities

tahoelivingwithfire.com | 530-543-1501 ext. 114 | fire@tahoercd.org

 

The image features the logo of the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, representing public lands.

This project was funded due to the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act, which authorized the sale of BLM administered federal lands within a designated boundary in the Las Vegas Valley and required proceeds to be used on projects to fund federal, state and local projects that benefit communities and public lands. 

 

 

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