Winter Driving Tips

NEWS YOU CAN USE DECEMBER 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER Truckee, Golf Course Communities, Tahoe Donner, Northstar, Donner Summit, Alpine/Squaw, North & West Shore Lake Tahoe, CA.

Winter Driving Tips

Severe weather can be both frightening and dangerous for travelers. Winter storms, bad weather and sloppy road conditions are a factor in nearly half a million crashes and more than 2,000 road deaths every winter, according to research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Drivers should know the safety rules for dealing with winter road emergencies. AAA urges drivers to be cautious while driving in adverse weather.

Cold Weather Driving Tips

• Keep a bundle of cold-weather gear in your car, such as extra food and water, warm clothing, a flashlight, a glass scraper, blankets, medications, and more. • Make certain your tires are properly inflated and have plenty of tread. • Keep at least half a tank of fuel in your vehicle at all times. • Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage. • Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface, such as on ice and snow.

Tips for Driving in the Snow

Drive slowly. Always adjust your speed down to account for lower traction when driving on snow or ice. Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Apply the gas slowly to regain traction and avoid skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry and take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads. Increase your following distance to five to six seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop. Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal. Don’t stop if you can avoid it. There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.

Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads will just make your wheels spin. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed downhill slowly. Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.

Tips for Long-Distance Winter Trips

Be Prepared: Have your vehicle checked by a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility before hitting the road. Check the Weather: Check the weather along your route and when possible, delay your trip if bad weather is expected. Stay Connected: Before hitting the road, notify others and let them know your route, destination and estimated time of arrival. If you get stuck in the snow: Stay with your vehicle: Your vehicle provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Do not try to walk in a severe storm. It is easy to lose sight of your vehicle in blowing snow and become lost. Don’t over exert yourself: When digging out your vehicle, listen to your body and stop if you become tired. Be Visible: Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna of your vehicle or place a cloth at the top of a rolled up window to signal distress. At night, keep the dome light on if possible. It only uses a small amount of electricity and will make it easier for rescuers to find you. Clear the Exhaust Pipe: Make sure the exhaust pipe is not clogged with snow, ice or mud. A blocked exhaust pipe can cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment of the vehicle while the engine is running. Stay Warm: Use whatever is available to insulate your body from the cold. This could include floor mats, newspapers or paper maps. Pre-pack blankets and heavy clothing to use in case of an emergency. Conserve Fuel: If possible, only run the engine and heater long enough to remove the chill. This will help to conserve fuel.

The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440

NEWS YOU CAN USE DECEMBER 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER

Truckee, Golf Course Communities, Tahoe Donner, Northstar, Donner Summit, Alpine/Squaw, North & West Shore Lake Tahoe, CA. Tahoe National Forest Christmas Tree Permits

This permit allows you to cut a Christmas Tree within designated areas of the Tahoe National Forest! Lifelong memories are built during these special times and we are happy to help with any information gathering you'll need to make this trip a safe and enjoyable one. These permits are specific to ranger districts within the Tahoe National Forest. Please ensure you select the correct area for where you plan to cut your tree. If you need help with the names and boundaries of the Ranger District, please call the District or Supervisors Office.

Fees and Season Dates

PERMIT NAME SEASON DATES MAX # OF TREES PRICE

Sierraville Ranger District Fri, Nov 6, 2020 Thu, Dec 31, 2020 2 $10.00 / per tree Truckee Ranger District Fri, Nov 6, 2020 –Thu, Dec 31, 2020 2 $10.00 / per tree

Where to Cut Your Tree

• Maps for the Ranger Districts and cutting areas can be found in the map section below. • Permit holders are reminded to respect private property by not trespassing when entering or leaving designated National Forest cutting areas. • Permit holders should keep vehicles on National Forest System roads and are reminded to park safely off the roadway in legal areas. No off-road travel is allowed.

Selecting Your Tree

• Each forest has limitations on the size of the tree you can cut and the species of trees that are permitted.

See below to help you measure and choose a tree that meets your permit's guidelines. • Tree Height: 20 feet maximum • Stump height: 12 inches maximum • Stump diameter: 6 inches maximum • Do not cut isolated trees growing in the open. • Permit holders may choose from varieties of pine, fir or cedar, in designated cutting areas, and must abide by specific permit conditions for proper and responsible collection. • In addition to the traditional experience, the permitted collection of smaller diameter trees, with a trunk of six inches in diameter or less, from selected areas contributes to the reduction of over-growth, particularly among firs, which are also the most sought after varieties for the holidays. • Take the whole tree. Do not remove the top of the tree; cut down the entire tree • If snow is on the ground, remove it from around the stump so you can accurately measure the stump and tree height.

How to Plan Your Trip

• Before you leave home, be sure to measure the space where you plan to place the tree in your home (height and width), and measure the space in your vehicle where you will be transporting the tree. • Cell service may be spotty or unavailable. Be sure someone knows where you are and when to expect you back. Check the latest weather conditions, forest warnings and road closures before you leave on your trip. Bring a map with you. Don’t rely on GPS because it may not be up-to-date with forest service roads. Dress warmly and take extra dry clothes. Expect winter weather, including cold temperatures, snow and winds. Bring plenty of food and water with you as well as an overnight survival kit in case you become stranded. Start your day early. Be sure to find your tree and leave the woods before dark. • Roads may not be plowed. Carry tire chains, shovel(s) and a tow chain. Be sure your vehicle has a full tank of gas. Bring a spare key and give it to someone else in your party. Don’t get locked out of your car! Park in areas so that traffic can get by safely, and do not block gates. • We don't recommend bringing your pets but, if you do, they must be on a leash.

The Dickson Truckee Team 11836 Donner Pass Road | Truckee, CA 96161 | 800.541.4440

NEWS YOU CAN USE DECEMBER 2020 MARKET NEWSLETTER Truckee, Golf Course Communities, Tahoe Donner, Northstar, Donner Summit, Alpine/Squaw, North & West Shore Lake Tahoe, CA.

Helpful Cutting Tips

• Carry your tree carefully out of the woods. Dragging the tree will rub off needles and bark. • If the tree is too big to transport inside of your vehicle, wrap it in canvas to prevent wind damage. • Once home, cut the bottom of the trunk off and place the freshly cut trunk in a bucket of water.

Replenish water. • If storing your tree outside for a few days before putting it in the house, keep it in an area protected from the wind, such as the north or east side of your house or under a shaded tree. • Tools you might want to consider bringing with you include a measuring tape to ensure you select a tree that fits in your home; handsaw to cut your tree; gloves to protect your hands; boots to protect your feet; a tarp to sit on and/or to move your tree once it's cut; and rope or straps to secure your tree to your vehicle. • Choose a tree from a dense forested area, which will give the remaining trees more space to grow. • Cut the leftover branches from the stump and scatter them.

Contact Us Sierraville Ranger District Truckee Ranger District

317 South Lincoln Street PO Box 95 10811 Stockrest Springs Road Sierraville, CA 96126 Truckee, CA 96161 (530) 430-7093 (530) 536-0417