El Dorado County Local News: Public Safety


All Local Public Safety News articles contributed by our local media allies and other local newsrooms.

Image caption: With CERT training, volunteers can learn firefighting skills.
Emergency Teamwork

Fires, floods, earthquakes—California’s got it all. And CERT volunteers are ready to step in.

Image caption: Thousands of homeowners have been kicked off their fire insurance policies.
California Fire Insurance Crisis: How the State Helps Homeowners

As California insurance companies have revoked the fire policies of thousands of homeowners, the state has taken steps to get them covered again.

Image caption: Many of Robert Kerbeck’s neighbors in Malibu Park lost their homes in the 2018 Woolsey Fire, which left behind lots where only chimneys still stood.
Give Your Home a Fighting Chance

California wildfires are becoming larger, more frequent and more ferocious. ‘Malibu Burning’ author Robert Kerbeck shares simple steps you can take to protect your home.

Image caption: Though it’s the most famous, the San Andreas Fault is just one of more than 500 active faults in California.
Battening Down for the Big One

Making it through the earthquake is the easy part. The hard part is surviving in the chaos that follows.

Image caption: Supercell storms are just one of many weather phenomena in the era of climate change.
The New Vocabulary of the Climate Change Era

The climate change era has created a whole new set of terms for a wide variety of storms and other weather phenomena. Here are some of the most important.

Image caption:
How Not to Feel the Burn

California residents can turn to these public and private entities to help prepare for wildfires and protect their property.

Image caption: There are more than 300 community service districts in California.
Community Services Districts, Explained

Community service districts can do most anything a city government can do. Here’s how they work and how to start one.

Image caption: Mosquitos kill about 725,000 people every year, worldwide.
Taking a Bite Out of the Mosquito Population

The pesky mosquito can be deadly as well as annoying. Here’s how local governments in California have been waging war on mosquitoes for more than a century.

Image caption: California will soon be getting a new hotline number as an alternative to 911 for mental health crises.
988, the New Mental Health Emergency Number, Explained

California will soon add a new emergency hotline service with the number 988. Here’s the story behind that new service, and the original 911 number.

Image caption: States have expansive powers to protect the health of the general public.
The State’s Broad Power to Protect Public Health, Explained

Since long before the COVID-19 pandemic, states have possessed broad authority to protect public health, even to suspend laws and commandeer private property. Here’s why, and how it works.

Image caption: A Pyrocumulus cloud generated by the Dixie Fire in July, 2021.
What is Fire 'Containment?' That and Other Terms, Explained

What does it mean when firefighters call a fire "contained?" Here's a brief guide to commonly used fire prevention terminology.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo From Tahoe Daily Tribune...

04/24/2024
Image for display with article titled Casting Call: Volunteers Needed for Educational Film Projects

Clean Up the Lake is embarking on a light-hearted and comedic journey to develop creative content that promotes boating safety, in collaboration with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.

California Local Pin Marker From Mountain Democrat...

04/23/2024
The El Dorado County Department of Transportation are starting construction of a pedestrian and bike path in Pollock Pines soon.

California Local Pin Marker From Mountain Democrat...

04/19/2024
Local county residents recount recent sightings of mountain lions near schools in populated areas.

California Local Pin Marker From California Local...

04/11/2024
Image for display with article titled Backers of California Homeless Camp Ban Cite ‘Successful’ San Diego Law. But Is It?

A new bill would make it illegal for homeless residents to camp in certain places, such as near schools, throughout California. Its authors say such a ban has had great success in San Diego. But a closer look at that city paints a more nuanced picture.

California Local Pin Marker From Mountain Democrat...

04/08/2024
The Firewise USA Community designation recognizes the results of the Coloma-Lotus Fire Safe Council fire resistance and defensible space programs.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo From Tahoe Daily Tribune...

04/04/2024
Image for display with article titled Springtime Means Defensible Space Time

Signs of springtime are in the air even though snow is still on the ground and spring cleaning inside and outside is typical for Tahoe. That means getting homes ready for the summer by creating or cleaning up defensible space around the home.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo From Tahoe Daily Tribune...

03/30/2024
Image for display with article titled Chief’s Corner: Springtime Fire Prevention Tips

As the winter snow melts away and the flowers begin to bloom, springtime brings about a sense of renewal and rejuvenation. It also marks the beginning of a new season for fire prevention efforts.

California Local Pin Marker From South Tahoe Now...

03/25/2024
The family of two men attacked by a mountain lion in El Dorado County released an update of the survivor and fundraising details for those who wish to contribute to funeral and medical costs.

Tahoe Guide logo From Tahoe Guide...

03/24/2024
Image for display with article titled Tips for Dealing With Hungry Bears Awakening

Bears are awake and already causing havoc to cars and homes as they search for food. There are easy steps to take to keep homes and vehicles safe from bears. Follow these tips from the BEAR League and California Department of Fish & Wildlife.

California Local Pin Marker From Village Life...

03/23/2024
A man was fatally attacked and his brother injured by a mountain lion in a remote area near Georgetown.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo From Tahoe Daily Tribune...

03/22/2024
Image for display with article titled State Sues El Dorado County Over Needle Exchange Bans

As part of an ongoing dispute between some county officials and the Sierra Harm Reduction Coalition, a nonprofit that distributes clean needles, Narcan and offers other services, Placerville's City Council and the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors both recently passed bans on the operation of needle exchange programs.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo From Tahoe Daily Tribune...

03/22/2024
Image for display with article titled Community-Led Effort to Remove Decades-Old Lead Cables in Lake Tahoe

From Baldwin Beach in South Lake Tahoe to the West Shore in Rubicon Bay, lead cables are present in Lake Tahoe, and have been for decades.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo From Tahoe Daily Tribune...

03/21/2024
Image for display with article titled South Lake Tahoe Council Takes Actions for Smoother, Safer Roads

Certain segments of U.S. 50 and State Route 89 have seen almost 20 fatalities in the span of 10 years and 229 minor injury and property damage accidents. The City of South Lake Tahoe and Caltrans are looking into how to make these segments safer.

California Local Pin Marker From Georgetown Gazette...

03/21/2024
The El Dorado County Grand Jury 2023-2024 report includes safety concerns at the Georgetown Airport.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo From Tahoe Daily Tribune...

03/19/2024
Image for display with article titled Tahoe Tested Walkie Talkie Company Seeks to Make Adventures Safer

Two rock climbing buddies witnessed a near accident on a multi-pitch climb that could have easily been avoided with one thing—communication.

Folsom Times logo From Folsom Times...

03/13/2024
Image for display with article titled Over $1M in Funding Secured for Folsom Lake Crossing Safety;$4M for Empire Ranch Interchange

Over five million dollars in funding has now been secured for two different Folsom area traffic improvement projects.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo From Tahoe Daily Tribune...

03/09/2024
Image for display with article titled El Dorado County Warns of Possible Measles Exposure

On March 5 a child with a confirmed case of measles was seen in the Emergency Department at UC Davis after being evaluated at San Joaquin Urgent Care. According to estimations approximately 300 people may have been exposed during the that time. Counties of residence for the individuals include El Dorado County.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo From Tahoe Daily Tribune...

03/07/2024
Image for display with article titled Skier Rescued by Helicopter Near Palisades Tahoe

The Placer County Sheriff's Office rescued a skier near Palisades Tahoe on Feb. 23.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo From Tahoe Daily Tribune...

03/04/2024
Image for display with article titled South Tahoe Pharmacies Hit with Cyberattacks

A nationwide cyberattack on United Healthcare impacted several South Lake Tahoe pharmacies.

California Local Pin Marker From Los Angeles Times...

03/02/2024
A tornado stuck Kings county briefly, and another touched down in Madera county, as favorable conditions came together during a powerful winter storm which swept the region.
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