Forest Service

Taking advantage of statewide moisture in the forecast, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest will conduct prescribed fire operations across several portions of the forest this week as part of the forest’s hazardous fuels reduction effort and active forest management program. Also, weather and conditions permitting, the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team will continue widespread prescribed fire operations this week in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region has decided to extend the developed campground closure on 12 National Forests in California to provide consistent COVID-19 mitigation response in accordance with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Stay-at-Home Orders. These Regional Orders will be in effect through Jan. 29, 2021.

The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team will resume prescribed fire operations this week in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Operations will continue over the next several weeks, conditions and weather permitting. Smoke may be visible.

It was an eventful year around the Carson City region notwithstanding the limitations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Here's some notable stories that were not pandemic related that happened in 2020.

Weather and conditions permitting, the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team will continue prescribed fire operations this week in the Lake Tahoe Basin. California State Parks, California Tahoe Conservancy, North Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Douglas fire protection districts are scheduled to burn hand piles and smoke may be visible.

The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team may continue prescribed fire operations this week in the Lake Tahoe Basin. California State Parks, North Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Douglas fire protection districts are scheduled to burn if conditions and weather allow. Smoke may be visible.

Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team members will continue prescribed fire operations this week in the Lake Tahoe Basin, weather and conditions permitting. California State Parks and Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District are scheduled to burn hand piles on the east and west shores. Smoke may be visible.

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, in partnership with NV Energy and the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, is seeking public comment on the NV Energy Resilience Corridors project. This project proposes vegetation treatments along roughly 43 miles of power line corridors on approximately 5,300 acres of National Forest System lands.

As part of Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest’s hazardous fuels reduction efforts, both Carson and Bridgeport Ranger Districts’ fire crews will conduct pile burning beginning in November 2020 through May 2021, weather and fuel conditions permitting.

The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit will begin selling Christmas tree permits online beginning Monday, Nov. 16.

The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit has begun closing recreational facilities for the winter season. Seasonal closures apply to many National Forest recreation sites in the Tahoe Basin including beaches, campgrounds, picnic areas and forest roads.

On Monday, Girl Scouts from Troops 1951 and 35 gathered to plant 15 trees at Carson’s historic Lone Mountain Cemetery.

Christmas tree permits for National Forest System lands on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest’s Bridgeport and Carson Ranger Districts will be available for purchase online through Recreation.gov, as well as in-person at multiple locations, beginning Monday, Nov. 2.

As part of the Carson Ranger District’s Hazardous Fuels Reduction Program, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest recently released sheep in the Jacks Valley Wildlife Management Fuels Reduction Project area just south of Jacks Valley Road in Carson City, Nev.

Fall has arrived in the Sierra Nevada bringing the steady change of turning leaves and a noticeable chill in the air. The fall season also means bears are actively searching for food, even down into the lower valleys.

Hello fellow anglers, Fall is definitely here. Renee and I took a trip through Alpine County last week to enjoy the fall colors. Many trees have turned, while others are just starting to get their true colors.

To get a good look at the viewing, venture up through Highway 88 from Woodfords to Caples Lake. Another good area of fall color viewing is from Woodfords on Highway 89 up to Kinney reservoir on Highway 4 .

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board on Wednesday approved key updates to forest management ordinances that will streamline large-scale fuel reduction projects and continue reducing the threat of catastrophic wildfire in the Tahoe Basin.

Due to continued public health safety concerns related to COVID-19, trail improvement work, the risk of bear-human encounters and in order to discourage large groups from gathering, the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit has issued a Forest Order that temporarily closes Taylor Creek and the surrounding area from Oct. 3 through Nov. 2, 2020.

The 2020 pine nut harvest season kicks off on lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Both agencies are working together to ensure the public is safely harvesting pine nuts and aware of the regulations.

National Forest trails, trailheads, beaches and other day-use areas in the Lake Tahoe Basin have now reopened for day-use only as of Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020. Camping and overnight stays will not be permitted, and campgrounds will remain closed. Resorts will reopen for day-use only. Emergency Fire Restrictions will remain in effect through Nov. 30. I’ve attached the Forest Orders for your awareness.

Due to unprecedented and historic fire conditions throughout the state, the USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region on Tuesday extended the temporary Forest Closure Order of all 18 National Forests in California, which began last week.

The U.S. Forest Service announced Wednesday that it is temporarily closing the remaining 10 national forests in California, including Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, Eldorado National Forest, Plumas National Forest and Tahoe National Forest.

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit released a list of beaches, campgrounds, resorts and public areas that are closed as of Monday because of dangerous fire conditions.

Most of California remains under the threat of unprecedented and dangerous fire conditions with a combination of extreme heat, significant wind events, dry conditions, and firefighting resources that are stretched to the limit.

Due to these conditions, the USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region is announcing the following temporary closures and fire restrictions to provide for public safety and reduce the potential for human caused fire starts.

With the Slink Fire burning south of Topaz Lake continuing to grow westward, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest expanded the fire closure area as of Saturday evening. The closure now includes all areas, campgrounds trails and roads at the following areas:

The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT) reminds residents and visitors that recreational fires, including campfires, bonfires, warming fires, wood fires, charcoal fires, or any other kind of outdoor fires, involving solid fuels are not permitted on public or private property including residential properties, vacation/short-term rentals, campgrounds, resorts and other recreational areas throughout the Lake Tahoe/Truckee Region until the end of November or until rescinded.

The Slink Fire burning south of Topaz Lake and two miles west of Coleville, Calif., reached 14,200 acres early Thursday and was 10 percent contained, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

The Slink Fire behavior moderated Tuesday at 11,000 acres and hard work by firefighters has increased the containment to 10 percent. All evacuations in the towns of Walker and Coleville have been lifted and Highway 395 is now open to traffic, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

The Mono County Sheriff's Office issued an evacuation order Monday evening for Coleville and Walker due to the Slink Fire and has closed Highway 395 from Topaz Lane to Eastside Lane south of Topaz Lake.

UPDATE: A wildfilre that started Saturday night continues to burn southwest of Topaz Lake in Mono County on the Bridgeport Ranger District, according to the U.S. Forest Service.