Inferno Ravages Lake Tahoe

On Sunday, June 24, 2007, fire broke out in the South Lake Tahoe area. Some call it the Tahoe fire, others refer to it as the Angora fire. Irregardless, it’s the most catastrophic fire in Lake Tahoe history. To date 250 homes and 3100 acres have been destroyed. The estimated cost of damage to date is between $141 and $151 million. Full containment isn’t expected until at least July 2, 2007.

An estimated 1800 to 2000 firefighters are battling dry and sometimes windy conditions to put this inferno out. So far there have been no reported deaths.

The fire was man made but the cause isn’t known yet. Some speculation as to the origins include a campfire or possibly a cigarette butt.

It can be devastating to lose everything you’ve ever owned in a matter of minutes. A lot of people have been affected by this fire. Fortunately, a lot of people want to help. The information below is provided for people who want to donate items or money, or to help in other ways. It originally appeared in the Nevada Appeal. Visit their web site for more information and updates.

How you can help:

Several organizations and businesses are accepting donations to help families displaced by the Angora fire.

Carson City

• Casino Fandango is accepting donations at its front entrance, 3800 S. Carson St. Anyone with questions can call the casino at 885-7000.

• The Eagles Wings Christian Fellowship in South Carson is also accepting donations of clothing and bedding for those displaced by the Angora fire. The church is at 150 E. Roland Ave., off of Snyder Avenue south of the Carson Lanes Bowling Alley. Contact Diane Pepka at 841-9623 for information.

• Carson Valley Christian Center – 1095 Stephanie Way in Minden – is accepting donations of supplies and/or money. The church is accepting donations of blankets, water, deodorant, children’s Tylenol, disposable gloves, clothing or canned goods. Any money that is received will be used to purchase supplies or provide support for fire victims. Call 267-0151.

• ComputerCorps is offering free help for the victims, evacuees and emergency response personnel of the Angora fire. At no cost, they will loan or replace computers, provide technical assistance with hardware and software, help with data recovery from damaged systems, design and print flyers for any use and provide use of their computer lab and printers. Volunteers, technicians and donations are needed. Call the ComputerCorps Emergency Response Team at 883-2323

• Girls Scout Troop No. 168 will set up a donation site for Angora fire evacuees and victims today in the parking lot between Carl’s Jr. and the Station Grille. The site will be open 11-1 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. today and Thursday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday and 9-11 a.m. Saturday. Needed items include blankets, pet foods, clothing, nonperishable food and bottled water. Cash donations cannot be accepted. Call 11-year-old Nicole Vairo at 230-5662.

• The American Red Cross shelter center has been set up at the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center (530) 542-6056 and at Carson High School. 1111 N. Saliman Road. Call 856-1000.

Lake Tahoe sites

• St. Theresa Catholic Church Parish Hall, corner of Lyons Avenue and Lake Tahoe Boulevard. Free meals for fire victims and volunteers through Friday. Breakfast 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.; Lunch noon to 2 p.m.; and Dinner 4 to 6 p.m. Nonperishable food also available. Donations of nonperishable food will be accepted, but no clothing.

• Barton Hospital Foundation. Accepting checks, cash and credit card donations. Can make donation with credit card by calling (530) 543-5612. Can mail to Fire Relief, P.O. Box 99578, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96158 or delivered to Financial Services, 2155 South Ave., Suite 24.

• Sierra Recovery Center. Accepting donations of clothing, toiletries, especially socks, underwear, shoes and pajamas for all ages. Not accepting monetary donations. SRC center is open daily to accept and distribute donations. Will be open Saturday from 9 a.m. 3 p.m., 1137 Emerald Bay Road. (530) 541-5190.

• American Red Cross. Accepting monetary donations at SLT Recreation Complex/Evacuation Center, 1180 Rufus Allen Blvd. or at any Bank of America branch. Not accepting items. Donations may also be made online at http://www.sacsierraredcross.org/. Click link Angora fire. Anyone looking for relatives and friends can also access the Web site and click link for Safe & Well.

• Tahoe Daily Tribune, 3079 Harrison Ave. Accepting and distributing toiletries, nonperishable food and clothing. Also accepting money donations. Not accepting additional clothing and bedding. (530) 541-3880.

• First Baptist Church, 1053 Wildwood Ave. Accepting and distributing clothing, bedding, toys, toiletries, baby supplies, nonperishable food, TVs, gift certificates, CD and CD players Ð anything and everything. Daily. Information (530) 544-2743.

• Choices for Children, 1029 Takela Drive. Not accepting additional donations. Can call (530) 541-5848 to see if donations are needed. Distributing clothing for adults and children, bottled water and energy drinks, toys, toiletries and bedding from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

• Boys and Girls Club of Lake Tahoe, 1100 Lyons Ave. Accepting and distributing clothing, shoes, dry goods and bedding. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Information: (530) 542-0838.

• Charter Communications has wired the evacuation center at the SLT Recreation Center for cable TV and supplied a high speed data service as well as a large screen TV for fire victims. Two desk top computers donated by the Lion Club of Reno are available and people who have lap top computers can plug them in.

• South Lake Tahoe Freecycle will accept donations and fire victims can request aid. Visit yahoogroups.com and go to Freecycle SLT.

• Telesec Answering Service has offered to take incoming calls for fire victims and hold messages. Displaced people whose phones no longer work can arrange to dispatch and receive message. For information call (530) 751-9331.

• G.B. General Engineering Contractor Inc., and its employees has offered to donate time and resources to help fire victims who need heavy equipment to recover valuables. Call Dave Galicia at (530) 308-6301.

• Tahoe Businesses Who Care. Business are requested to donate any percentage or make a one-time donation to the program to help victims of the Angora fire. The Tahoe Douglas Rotary Club will collect donations from Tahoe Businesses Who Care and distribute them to local nonprofit organizations. To participate in the program contact Jana Ney Walker at (530) 544-6119 or Joe Zarachoff at (775)588-6616.

• Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce has established a fire fund at U.S. Bank, P.O. Box 17640, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96151.

• Harrah’s lake Tahoe is planning a major fundraising concert to benefit people affected by the Angora fire. Spokesman John Packer said performers from across the nation have contacted the gaming organization with interest in participating.

• Vail Resorts Inc., and Heavenly Mountain Resort will donate $75,000 to communities affected by fire near South Lake Tahoe. Five dollars from each future sale of 2007-08 Heavenly season passes will go to those impacted by the Angora fire. G.B. General Engineering Contractor Inc., and its employees has offered to donate time and resources to help fire victims who need heavy equipment to recover valuables. Call Dave Galicia at (530) 308-6301.

• Tahoe Businesses Who Care. Business are requested to donate any percentage or make a one-time donation to the program to help victims of the Angora fire. The Tahoe Douglas Rotary Club will collect donations from Tahoe Businesses Who Care and distribute them to local nonprofit organizations. To participate in the program contact Jana Ney Walker at (530) 544-6119 or Joe Zarachoff at (775)588-6616.

• Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce has established a fire fund at U.S. Bank, P.O. Box 17640, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96151.

Pets

• El Dorado Animal Control 1120 Shakori Drive in Meyers will accept pets at the shelter for people who have been evacuated. Officers are also available to rescue animals. People who find animals displaced by the fire may take them to the shelter. For more information call (530) 577-1766.

• Lake Tahoe Humane Society and S.P.C.A., 1221 Emerald Bay Road at the “Y.” Accepting donations and making distributions of dry name-brand dog and cat food, cat litter and pans and towels. Foster families are also needed. For more information call (530) 542-2857.

Back to Bill’s Blog | Bill’s Links and More

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.