JUNE IS LAKE TAHOE WILDFIRE AWARENESS MONTH

June is “Wildfire Awareness Month” in the Lake Tahoe Basin, and members of the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team are asking all Tahoe residents and visitors to “Think First to Keep Tahoe Fire Safe.”

Funded primarily by a grant from Cal Fire, this year’s “Think First” outreach campaign was created by the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team and the Abbi Agency of Reno. It launched on June 3 as part of Lake Tahoe Wildfire Awareness Month. During June and continuing throughout the summer and fall, residents and visitors will receive clear, encouraging messages on how to “Think First” to prevent starting a wildfire and to prepare their homes and businesses for when a natural wildfire does occur.

Two events are happening on June 11 as part of the Think First campaign launch and Wildfire Awareness Month. Representatives from the Tahoe Fire Fuels Team will be on hand at each of the events, and at other events throughout the summer, to visit with people one-on-one and discuss wildfire prevention and preparedness questions. The North Tahoe and Meeks Bay Fire Districts are holding a Fire Safe Bar-B-Que from noon to 3 p.m. at 222 Fairway Drive in Tahoe City. The South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue will hold its third annual Wildfire Safety Expo from noon to 3 p.m. at the TJ Maxx parking lot, located at 2015 Lake Tahoe Blvd., also known as the “Y.”

For more information on how to prepare for wildfire or to locate your local fire district, visit http://www.tahoe.livingwithfire.info. Take the pledge to Think First to help prevent wildfires and help prepare our communities and learn more at http://www.thinkfirsttahoe.org.

ADA LAWSUIT PREVENTION

According to Tahoe Chamber, a particular individual known for filing ADA lawsuits has returned to South Lake Tahoe. Local businesses should take all precautions in preventing possible ADA lawsuits.

The Tahoe Chamber urges local businesses to ensure that their parking lots are appropriately marked for disabled visitation, and that they conduct a CASp inspection at the earliest possible time in attempt to protect themselves from an ADA Lawsuit.

ADA Senate Bill 269 became law last month. The bill seeks to incentivize businesses to proactively take steps to become disabled accessible by providing them with 120 days from receipt of a Certified Access Specialist (CASp) report to resolve any violations identified without being subject to statutory penalties or litigation costs.

Visit http://www.tahoechamber.org for more information on the Tahoe business community.

TAHOE BIKE CHALLENGE CONTINUES

Every year for two weeks, instead of driving, hundreds of Tahoe residents ride their bikes to work, school, and for fun. Register, track your miles and join the friendly competition for fun prizes and bragging rights. Register to be part of the Tahoe Bike Challenge at http://www.tahoebikechallenge.org. It runs through June 14.