USFS forest closure ends Wednesday night; Popular beaches set to reopen

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe region forest closure order will be terminated at 11:59 p.m. September 15, once again allowing beach goers and some back country enthusiasts access in areas not immediately affected by the Caldor Fire. The order was originally longer but moved up two days due to better conditions.

The USDS Forest Service had issued temporary closure orders for 18 National Forests in California at end of August, and Lake Tahoe areas August 22 due to the unprecedented and historic fire conditions throughout the state. Since many Lake Tahoe area beaches fall under USFS, they were also closed.

Starting Thursday, September 16, Pope, Baldwin, Kiva Beaches on SR89, Camp Richardson Resort, Nevada Beach, Round Hill Pines, Zephyr Cove Beach and Campground, Chimney Beach, Secret Cove, Meeks Bay Resort, Taylor Creek, Tallac Historic Site and Valhalla are all able to reopen. Many campgrounds that had been included in the closure are now starting their seasonal closures so check ahead for camping.

The gates at Pope and Baldwin beaches will be open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. starting Thursday, and starting at Nevada Beach Friday. The Nevada Beach Campground opens Saturday. Even if gates are closed the beaches are open. Some openings are delayed due to staff needing to get back to work.

The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) closure order remains in
effect for the following backcountry areas: Desolation Wilderness, Meiss Country, Barker Pass and McKinney/Rubicon through Sep. 19, 2021. Access and orders will be refined over time. See more HERE.

The campgrounds at William Kent, Meeks Bay, Caspian, Blackwood Canyon and Bayview are closed for season.

Inspiration Point will also reopen.

A new closure order is in the works for the Caldor Fire area and more information will be released shortly. This will include the area above Pioneer Trail, Powerline Trail, Trimmer Peak and other spots within the footprint of the fire. There are still hot spots and dangerous areas along with the need for major restoration before bikes and hikers will be allowed inside the perimeter of the fire.

Eldorado National Forest forest-wide closure remains in effect until September 30. Access and orders will be refined over time and updated HERE.

A Burned Area Emergency Response Team (BAER) has started evaluating the Caldor Fire area. This is a rapid assessment of burned watersheds by a BAER team to identify imminent post-wildfire threats to human life and safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources on National Forest System lands and take immediate actions to implement emergency stabilization measures before the first post-fire damaging events.