Since we are now in fire season, below are some new and updated procedures to sign up for emergency alerts and to track wildfires, evacuation orders and other emergencies.
Please call 911 to report a fire or other emergency. The closest fire truck is at the USFS station in Silver Fork, and the closest medical response is based in Pollock Pines.
RAVE Emergency Alerts
The link below contains instructions to sign up for the recently revamped RAVE Emergency Alert System from the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services (OES). The OES sends alerts for wildfires and urgent law enforcement operations via telephone, cell phone, text message, email, and Smart911 App. You may sign up for Wrights Lake using the Kyburz zip code, 95720. The website is ready.edso.org. Cell service is needed to receive these alerts.
Perimeter Map Website
Per the OES, the Perimeter Map website, which has real time safety updates andinstant public instructions, is the best real time source for every stage of a disaster. You can track the spread of a fire by seeing where evacuation orders have been issued. The site lists all road closures year-round. It does not send out alerts, and you must click on the link for updates. perimetermap.com.
Watch Duty App
The Watch Duty app, which is well regarded by first responders, sends an audible alert to your phone of wildfires that occur in the area(s) you designate. It provides updates on equipment dispatched, evacuation orders issued, and percent containment. Cell service is needed to receive these alerts. (https://www.watchduty.org/).
GMRS Radios / Emergency Communications Network
The WLDLFSC recommends that each cabin purchase a pair of GMRS radios to expand our emergency communications network. A number of local communities have set up GMRS emergency radio networks which have saved lives. They can be used to notify cabin owners of a fire, an impending evacuation, or an urgent law enforcement issue. Our fire pump sheds contain GMRS radios.
Below is a link to Baofeng G11s 3-watt GMRS radios, which cost $45 per pair on Amazon:
These radios are sturdy and simple to use. They have good reception around Wrights Lake, and scratchy but audible reception between Wrights and Dark Lake when someone stands on the road above the Dark Lake cabins.
The WLDLFSC plans to hold a monthly test where members turn on their GMRS radios at 10 AM on the first Saturday of each month, using Channel 1 to communicate. Please let us know if you would like to volunteer to be part of a communications team in an emergency.
After purchasing these radios you will need to purchase a $35 GMRS radio license which covers your entire household for 10 years. Below is a link to the El Dorado County Community Emergency Radio Association (CER) website which contains instructions on how to register and purchase a license:
GMRS radios are also handy for personal communication, e.g. staying in touch with family members on a hike. Reception is good all the way to Twin Lakes when standing in a high spot with a good line of sight.
CALTRANS has installed two traffic webcams on US 50 AT the Wrights Road turnoff, one eastbound and one westbound. After clicking on the Link below you will need to scroll to these cameras. Select Region (Sacramento/Tahoe), then Select Camera (scroll down to US 50: then select Twin Bridges: Hwy 50 at Wrights Lake 1; or select Hwy 50 at Wrights Lake 2).
Main ENF Radio frequency for Fire Response – 171.525.
Per the former OES director this is the primary ENF channel for fire response. The ENF has the closest fire engine to Wrights Lake located at Silver Fork.
Main Sheriff’s frequency – 159.555. If there are multiple responders they will move to 159.690.
Main Medical Response frequency – 155.9025. The closest medical response is based in Pollock Pines.
Here is a link to a longer list of ENF Radio Channels:
The Pollock Pines Repeater frequency is 146.805. Some cabin owners use 147.250.
The Wrights Lake and Dark Lake Fire Safe Council (WLDLFSC) operates under the umbrella of the El Dorado County Fire Safe Council (EDCFSC): https://edcfiresafe.org/
We are the only Associate FSC that is 100% on national forest land. There are a number of benefits from forming your own fire safe council. Below is a link to our 2023/24 Annual Report which describes how we formed and contains an update on our 1,700 acre Fuel Reduction Project:
