Living in Lake Tahoe means embracing winter - the beauty, the snowstorms, and the responsibility that comes with mountain homeownership. One simple way residents can help protect their property and neighborhood this season is by participating in the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District’s Adopt-a-Hydrant program.

The Fire Protection District maintains more than 1,000 fire hydrants throughout Incline Village and Crystal Bay. During major snow events, hydrants can quickly become buried or difficult to access, creating delays during emergency response situations when time matters most.

Fire code requires hydrants to remain visible and unobstructed. Under the 2012 International Fire Code Section 507.5.4 and NLTFPD Resolution 13-1, hydrants located on private property must be maintained by the homeowner or HOA. Keeping hydrants clear is not just helpful - it’s part of maintaining a safe community.

Adopting a hydrant near your home is a simple way to contribute. The Fire District recommends maintaining at least three feet of clearance around the hydrant and a clear path to the roadway so firefighters can quickly connect to a water source if needed.

For homeowners, these small preventative steps are part of responsible property stewardship. In mountain communities like ours, wildfire preparedness and winter readiness go hand in hand.

NLTFPD also encourages residents to take a few additional seasonal safety measures:

• Keep gas meters visible and accessible

• Remove excessive snow buildup from roofs

• Watch for snow cornices forming along rooflines

• Use professional snow removal services when conditions are hazardous

These actions help protect not only individual homes, but entire neighborhoods.

In recent years, wildfire risk has become closely tied to home insurance availability and pricing in mountain communities. Insurance providers are increasingly evaluating defensible space, vegetation management, roof materials, and overall property accessibility when assessing risk. Keeping fire hydrants visible and accessible may seem like a small action, but it contributes to broader community preparedness efforts that both insurers and fire agencies are paying closer attention to.

If you haven’t already, take a few minutes this week to locate the fire hydrant closest to your home and clear at least three feet of space around it. Encourage neighbors, HOAs, and property managers to do the same. Small, consistent actions across a neighborhood can make a meaningful difference when emergency crews need immediate access to water.

By preparing our homes and supporting our local fire district, we help protect property values, improve insurability, and strengthen the safety of the entire community. In Lake Tahoe, preparedness isn’t just seasonal - it’s part of how we care for the place we call home.