Forest Thinning Begins Near South Tahoe High

Thinning of the forest areas near South Tahoe High and the Sand Pit OHV began last week. This is part of the South Shore Fuels Reductions and Healthy Forest Restoration Project which will thin out about 10,000 acres between Cascade Lake and Stateline, Nevada.

The thinning of trees is for fuels reduction and forest health.

The Forest Service has closed the areas in units 19 and 117 (marked by a red "X" on the map above, from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily through October 14, 2014, for public safety due to heavy equipment operations and falling trees.

Project work will not occur on Memorial Day Weekend.

Thinning at the Sand Pit is expected to be completed by the end of May or early June and the Sand Pit will be reopened, but the closure will remain in effect in the other areas.

Hazards may be present even when operations have finished for the day and the closure is not in effect. Individuals disregarding the closure may be cited, with subsequent fines or jail time.