By Becky DeForest | Alpine County Chamber of Commerce
If you stood in Markleeville’s town center, you would not know that there had been a fire. The autumn leaves sprinkle the streets with color, blue skies kiss the rooftops and the soft sounds of live music come from local eateries up and down main street. At first glance, you certainly wouldn’t know that three months ago the Tamarack Fire circled the town not once, but twice.
The Tamarack Fire that began as the result of lightening on July 4, erupted on July 16 and ultimately burned more than 68,000 acres and 23 structures across Alpine County and Douglas County, Nev. Thanks to the swift response by Liberty Utilities, the town of Markleeville was restored power within a couple of weeks. However, phones and internet service were not restored until Aug. 20. Subsequently region-wide forest closures and highway closures due to the Caldor Fire hindered the majority of travel that would be typical of a Markleeville summer day.
What you don’t fully realize until you’re in the thick of it is that the size of the donation is secondary. Whether you shared $5 or $500, what you’ve shared is hope.
Once a pioneer town rooted in exploration and silver mining, Markleeville is nestled off the beaten path south of Lake Tahoe and north of Yosemite. Nowadays, it relies heavily on summer visitors to drive the economy. While the town itself was saved from the Tamarack Fire, the prospects of a good summer season for local businesses went up in smoke.
Yet through the smoke and uncertainty there were glimmers of hope, notably, the outpouring of support from Alpine County’s neighbors and visitors. A Tamarack Fire Assistance Fund was established and over the days and weeks that followed, the fund grew to more than $92,000. Donations of all sizes poured in, many of them accompanied by kind messages that reminded us of what Alpine County means to people.
The funds have been used to assist families that lost their homes, to help some households with unexpected costs of evacuations and structure damage and to support businesses that suffered losses such as food spoilage and repairs.
What you don’t fully realize until you’re in the thick of it is that the size of the donation is secondary. Whether you shared $5 or $500, what you’ve shared is hope.
For many, that hope kept the pioneer spirit alive. Thanks in no small part to the generosity shared over the summer, the business community is ready to welcome their supporters back with open arms.
For many, that hope kept the pioneer spirit alive. Thanks in no small part to the generosity shared over the summer, the business community is ready to welcome their supporters back with open arms. Eateries hosted the first “Taste of Alpine” from Oct. 18 to 24, inviting visitors to taste the flavors of the community. It was more than just a restaurant week. It was a chance to give visitors a taste of what we are rooted in – the people, the food, the culture, and the sense of family and community. Things a fire can’t destroy.
Events and activities are scheduled to take place in and around Markleeville throughout the fall and winter and are available on our website. | alpinecounty.com
