Fire Season is still with us and the pine trees are starting to drop pine needles again. Before you start cleaning them up, be sure to look at the condition of your trees. There can be trees with dead branches hanging in them from last winter’s storms. These branches are easier to spot right now, because the needles on them have turned brown. These branches can be lethal when they fall (that is why they have the nickname ‘widow maker’). If you spot any have these branches removed by a professional.
Clear the pine needles off of your roof, and away from your homes. It is okay to leave some on the ground for erosion control, but you need to keep them away from shrubs, trees, and structures. Fire season is still not over and it is not uncommon to have roof fires start from sparks landing on the pine needles that have accumulated on a roof. The source for these sparks could be from your chimney, or from a nearby wildland fire. Keep your home fire safe, and your yards safe from falling branches.
The Fire Safe Council of Nevada County in cooperation with Cal Fire, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Truckee Fire, Tahoe Truckee Sierra Disposal and the Town of Truckee are providing free community green waste drop-off sites in the Truckee area. The program is funded by a Proposition 40 grant to protect watershed health from catastrophic wildfire.
Drop Off Sites
- Soda Springs Ski Resort, July 1 to Oct 15, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Pla-Vada HOA, July 1 to Oct 15, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Tahoe-Donner HOA, By Appointment, Call 530-587-9432
- Glenshire-Devonshire HOA, Oct 13 & 14, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Truckee Rodeo Grounds, Oct 13 & 14, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
PLEASE NOTE: In addition to the collection of vegetative material a special pine needle only bin will be provided at the Truckee Rodeo Ground location for the collection of clean pine needles not mixed with other vegetative waste. Tahoe Truckee Sierra Disposal is sponsoring the pine needle bin. Throughout the year, green waste and pine needles may be taken to the Eastern Regional Landfill for a low-cost. Call Tahoe Truckee Sierra Disposal at 530-583-0148 for green waste pricing information.
