forest

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.

Volunteers of all ages and skill levels are invited to help us celebrate National Public Lands Day through this fun, hands-on restoration event.

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.

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest system lands located in California on the Carson and Bridgeport Ranger Districts will reopen to the public on Tuesday morning after a temporary emergency closure went into place on Sept. 10 due to an unprecedented and dangerous fire situation in the state of California.

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.

Often called the “jewel of the Sierra,” Lake Tahoe offered warm solace for Nevadans this summer amid the crushing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has pushed people outside in greater numbers as the virus spreads more easily in indoor spaces.

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.

UPDATE: The fire is under control, according to Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center.
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UPDATE 11:07AM: Fire crews on scene have kept the fire from spreading and a helicopter has been called into help fight the fire, according to KOLO. No structures are threatened.
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UPDATE 8:40AM: Resources are on scene of a single tree fire in Washoe Valley west of Bowers Mansion. The #BowersFire is a-quarter of an acre in brush and timber and was caused by lightning in the area, according to the U.S. Forest Service. No structures were threatened, fire officials said.

As of 7 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 21, the Loyalton Fire has burned 46,872 and is 60% contained. At least five homes and six outbuildings have been destroyed in the fire. No casualties or injuries have been reported.

Crews worked overnight to find and extinguish heat sources interior to containment lines near Balls Canyon Ranch and along the southern fire perimeter. Priorities today are to continue to strengthen lines, backhaul excess equipment, and identify remaining heat sources.

The Loyalton Fire north of the California, Nevada state line has burned 36,295 acres and is 5 percent contained as of Monday morning, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The fire, which is believed to have started by lightning, has destroyed 5 homes and six outbuildings.

UPDATE 4:50PM: A Dense Smoke Advisory issued by the National Weather Service for the greater Reno, Sparks, Virginia City and Carson Valley areas has been extended until 9 a.m. Monday morning. As of late Sunday afternoon, drift smoke was evident in Washoe Valley, Carson City as well as into Silver Springs and Dayton.
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The National Weather Service in Reno on Sunday issued a Dense Smoke Advisory for the valley areas of Reno into Carson City and Carson Valley due to the Loyalton Fire burning in the Tahoe National Forest in California.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — Lake Tahoe is the vacation destination for millions of people annually, but recent behaviors by some visitors have several residents on edge. Trash is being left behind on beaches, trails and picnic areas, overflowing trash containers, which are shown up daily on social media pages, along with packed stores and clogged roads.

For ages 8-12 and families: Join us on Zoom and learn the ways of being a friend of the forest. Explore the idea of what makes a healthy forest through discussion, drawing, sending a stewardship postcard and playing Forest Friend Bingo.

Heading into the weekend, there’s a bevy of activities around the Carson City region. The Nevada State Railroad Museum is holding train rides dedicated toward women’s suffrage on Saturday. Feeding Pets of the Homeless is hosting its 11th annual nationwide pet food and supply drive over the next three days, and there is plenty of live music for all to enjoy! Read on for more information.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – As a reminder, backcountry visitors should practice proper food and garbage storage and behave appropriately when hiking and backpacking in Bear Country.

This summer, wilderness rangers report bears are successfully taking down food-hangs in Desolation Wilderness. Once bears become habituated to human food and garbage they will return and seek it out. Agencies highly recommend using bear resistant canisters when visiting the backcountry.

In response to the current severe risk of wildfire, the Bureau of Land Management, Nevada Division of Forestry and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest elevated the current fire restrictions on August 7. The heightened restrictions prohibit all open flame campfires on state and federal lands, including within developed campgrounds, day use areas and dispersed camp areas.

At midnight Saturday the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest entered Stage 2 Fire Restrictions in response to the current severe risk of wildfire. Nevada is experiencing record dry conditions with much of the state in a severe drought.

Heading into the weekend, there’s a bevy of activities around the Carson City region. Carson River railbike tours begin Saturday packed with thrills for all to enjoy, and Virginia City is hosting several exciting events throughout the weekend. The Brewery Art Center's Flatbed Concert series continues featuring Kingwhistler and Eric Andersen. Read on for more events and happenings.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — After much discussion and deliberation, the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit has made the difficult decision to cancel planned interpretive programs and visitor services at the Taylor Creek Visitor Center through the end of October, including second- and third-grade conservation education field trips. In addition, we have made the decision to cancel the Fall Fish Festival this year, an event that typically draws up to 12,000 visitors over the weekend.

Thunderstorms arriving into the region Wednesday have brought a number of calls for downed trees, power lines, outages and a fire reported in the Silver Springs area of Lyon County.

There’s nothing better than fresh air to restore the mind, body and soul, and in these troublesome days when we must wear masks just about everywhere, it is nice to be able to breathe in fresh air as we exercise our bodies and clear our troubled minds.

UPDATE: Fire investigators say a semi-tractor trailer truck with a faulty exhaust system is the likely cause of the #NumbersFire south of Gardnerville.