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Lake Tahoe Residents Devastated by Wildfire; Red Cross Responds
Katie Lawson, Staff Writer, Redcross.org
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 — “It’s a miracle!”
Those are the words Neil Cohn kept repeating as he viewed his South Lake Tahoe home for the first time after fleeing the Angora Wildfire. Cohn’s home was one of only two on his street that were spared by the flames, which reduced neighboring homes to ash and rubble.
Cohn family members walk down their neighborhood street observing smoldering rubble surrounding their home that withstood the Angora fire.
(Photo Credit: Kati Garner/American Red Cross)
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The blaze that raged through his neighborhood this week continues to threaten homes in the small California resort community. The wildfire, which began Sunday, June 24, was sparked by 30-mph winds and has forced thousands to evacuate their homes in the Lake Tahoe area.
Although the flames were nearly 40% contained on Monday, strong wind gusts late Tuesday afternoon caused the flames to jump fire lines, threatening even more homes and buildings. CNN reports that the blaze has destroyed at least 276 homes and buildings, and another 1,000 remain at risk.
The American Red Cross has been responding since the fire first broke out. Two Red Cross emergency response vehicles (ERVs) have been touring the affected areas, delivering food and water to firefighters who are still on the scene battling the blaze. The Sacramento Sierra Chapter set up a shelter at the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center and welcomed roughly 350 people. Two more Red Cross shelters were also recently opened in Reno, Nev.
Maintaining a Defensive Area
Many residents who were not as lucky as Neil Cohn have a place to stay free of charge thanks to the generosity of some Lake Tahoe casinos and motels. Meanwhile, Neil and his family returned to his home for the fist time Tuesday, after being gone for two days. He discovered windows cracked by the heat of the fire, rubber window seals melted out of their seams and paint that had bubbled and cracked along one side.
Still, Neil is able to point out that much is his home is unharmed. “Look at that redwood bridge in the back yard,” he said. “It wasn’t even touched.”
Danielle and Samantha Cohn discuss the evacuation and "miracle" that left only two homes standing in their neighborhood.
(Photo Credit: Kati Garner/American Red Cross)
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Neil and his daughters recognize how lucky they are to have escaped the wildfire nearly untouched. He attributes some of that luck to his insistence on maintaining a defensive area around his rural home—a key strategy in protecting a home against wildfire.
“I’ve been doing that all along and I won’t stop now,” Neil said. “I think it’s a large part of why my home is still standing.”
Neil and his daughters say they are grateful for the support provided by the American Red Cross as well as other agencies, individuals and businesses in the community. A Disaster Assistance Center in now in place at Lake Tahoe Community College where residents have access to a number of different resources, including the American Red Cross and the Office of Emergency Services to assist them.
Although the scenery around Neil’s home has changed, and there are many repairs to make before the recovery is complete, Neil and his family are committed to repairing the home and enjoying the mountain view.
“We’ll be here,” he said. “We’ll stay.”
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the Midwest ice storms, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.
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