Working together to ensure the Nevada firefighters battling the Lake Tahoe blaze have the resources they need, U.S. Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign and Congressman Dean Heller organized a conference call with first responders including Eli Ilano, Deputy Forest Supervisor for the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, Steve Eubanks, Tahoe National Forest Supervisor, and Kent Swartzlander, Incident Commander.
"Lake Tahoe is one of the picturesque wonders of the world," said Reid. "But pictures of the blaze right now paint a dreadful image. The Nevada congressional delegation will keep an eye on the blaze. I want to make sure we do all we can to give the states of California and Nevada the resources they need to fight the fire and protect people who live nearby."
"Growing up at Lake Tahoe gave me a deep appreciation for one of the most beautiful areas in the world, and for years I have feared a catastrophic fire in the Tahoe Basin," said Ensign. "Our prayers are with the firefighters and those who have lost their homes during this terrible tragedy. Our congressional delegation is committed to providing whatever assistance is necessary to put this fire out."
"The potential for catastrophic timber fires in the Tahoe Basin has been a concern for many years," said Heller. "My sympathies go to those who have lost their homes and my gratitude to the firefighters working to stop this disaster. Preserving Lake Tahoe is important to all Nevadans. I will work with the Nevada delegation and my California colleagues in the House to provide whatever relief is necessary."
The fire has charred more than 2,500 acres and destroyed more than 220 homes, including the homes of some of the men and women who are on the front lines.
