News

July 10, 2007 - Refuge sends help to Tahoe

Refuge firefighters joined more than 2,000 other firefighters from throughout California and nearby states in battling Tahoe's Angora wildfire over the past few weeks. On Sunday, June 24, 2007, the 3,100 acres fire was started when an illegally set and abandoned campfire escaped it's pit and quickly burned in forest land. Within an hour of the initial report, fire was burning homes, forcing hundreds to evacuate.

Klamath Basin NWRC sent a fire engine as part of an interagency strike team (five fire engines of similar size/capacity) to South Lake Tahoe. Engine 81 joined engines from the Modoc and Shasta-Trinity National Forests and began their work early Monday, June 25. A few days later, the refuge also sent an information officer and law enforcement officer. While the fire was contained on July 2, Klamath Basin's resources remained in Tahoe for an additional week to assist with mop-up and information duties.