It's not even Memorial Day, and we've had our first fire here in Northern Nevada, right here the Carson Valley's backyard.
The Spring Valley fire was close to two listings that I have, which are owned by what has become a dear friend of my family. He and his wife have purchased property from us, referred clients to us, and has multiple properties listed with us now. We are always working together on potential deals, and as such, we've gotten to know each other quite well.
Many of you may know that my husband is a Trooper with the Nevada Highway Patrol. He has a ritual he enjoys every day before going on shift, which he always does 10-15 minutes early. He was sitting at his laptop checking his email, and he abruptly jumped up, kissed us all goodbye, and said there was a fire near Leviathan Mine Road.
Immediately, my thoughts flew to our friends. They live ON Leviathan Mine Road. As it turns out, our friends were stuck behind a roadblock as southbound traffic was closed on 395. I shared several phone calls with them as they sat there, sick with worry about their beloved dog, Sage, who was home. They were able to reach a neighbor who was home who told them a fire truck was stationed in front of each home just in case the fire crested the hill so they would be ready.
The local firefighting authorities did a wonderful job managing the fire, and preserving all the wonderful homes that are nestled in the forests of Spring Valley and Double Springs Valley. If you live in fire country, or anywhere in the Sierra Nevada area, including the Tahoe Basin, then you should familiarize yourself with LivingWithFire.Info.
It is important when choosing to live in an area prone to lightning strikes and other fire hazards that you diligently maintain a fire break around your home. Your landscape plan should also be considered, so you keep flammable foliage like trees far enough away from your home that in the event of a fire, the embers don't have an opportunity to jump from the trees to your home.
The fire is 40% contained as I write this post, and I know fire crews will be in the valleys working through the night protecting the residents and homes of Douglas County. As the summer season gears up, please be aware of campfires, backyard fire pits, barbeques, and other seemingly benign fires. They can quickly get out of control and cause incredible damage, permanently destroying lifelong mementos that can never be replaced. There are still families displaced from the Angora fire of Lake Tahoe two years ago. While it is difficult to prevent fires started by nature, if we are all smart about living in a fire prone area, we can minimize the potential for damage.
Each part of our beautiful country has it's own hazards: California has wildfires and earthquakes, the Midwest has floods and tornadoes, the Atlantic and gulf costs have hurricanes. The Sierra Nevadas is no different.
What can I do to protect myself from fires? Create a fire break around your home. Have valuables and important papers in a box you can grab easily if you are evacuated. Have a plan for communicating with other family members and a rendevous part in the even that an event strikes when you are not together.
Living with potential disasters is a part of life. It's how you anticipate and prepare for 'when' it happens that makes all the difference.
Posted By: Christianne Gordon - Northern Nevada Real Estate Agent - Realtor
with RE/MAX Realty Affiliates, specializing in Carson Valley Real Estate and Northern Nevada Real Estate.
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Christianne Gordon, REALTOR®, CDPE, SFR, , PSC, e-PRO
Certified Distressed Property Expert - Short Sales & Foreclosure Resource - Pre-Foreclosure Certified
RE/MAX Realty Affiliates - Great Nevada Homes, Inc.
Direct: (775) 881-8223
Visit us online at GreatNevadaHomes.com or CarsonValleyShortsales.com
The information in Christianne Gordon's blog is deemed accurate but not guaranteed. Any individual considering a short sale should also seek independent tax and legal advice to get specific information as it relates to their personal situation. Christianne Gordon is a licensed real estate agent with RE/MAX Realty Affiliates serving the entire Northern Nevada region including Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Washoe Valley, North Valleys, Fernley, Dayton, Stagecoach, Minden, Genoa, Gardnerville, Smith Valley and Yerington.
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