South Lake Tahoe, Calif.— The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) invites the community to an open house at the new Spooner Summit Fire Station from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 1, 2011. Staff will be on hand to answer questions about the green construction techniques used in the fire station, the Spooner Summit fuels reduction project, USFS Engine 44 and Patrol 44, and the job of a wildland firefighter. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 11:30 a.m., and Smokey Bear will make a guest appearance.
The new facility represents the completion of a decade-long effort to replace the previous station, a 20 by 30 square foot building that lacked restroom facilities and running water. The new station provides a safe, sanitary and efficient working environment and includes an indoor engine bay. Because of its sustainable building materials and techniques, the building is eligible for U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. Examples include a geoexchange heating system and the use of recycled blue jeans as insulation.
The project cost $1 million, half of which was covered by federal funds. The remaining $500,000 came from ARAMARK, the parent corporation of Zephyr Cove Snowmobiling Tours, which is housed in the facility during the winter. Their staff will also be available at the event to talk about their operations. While the new fire station was under construction, the Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District provided space for the Forest Service engine and crew. “We’re pleased to invite the community to tour our facility and learn more about wildland firefighting as part of Wildfire Awareness Week, which runs from May 28 through June 5 in the Lake Tahoe Basin,” said Cheva Heck, LTBMU public affairs officer. “The theme for this year is ‘Get Defensive: We’re Counting on You!’ and our Spooner Summit Fire Station open house and all the other great events reinforce that a coordinated effort between individuals, communities and fire protection agencies is essential to protect our Lake Tahoe Basin communities from wildfire.” Learn more about Wildfire Awareness Week events at http://www.livingwithfire.info/tahoe.
The Spooner Summit Fire Station is located at 2367 Highway 50. For more information on the open house, call Cheva Heck at (530) 543-2608 or Lisa Herron at (530) 543-2815.
