How to know when that smoke you see is from prescribed burns around Lake Tahoe

South Tahoe Now, the US Forest Service and the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team communicate to the public whenever there is a prescribed burn operation planned for the Lake Tahoe Basin. Spotting smoke can always be a concern so its helpful to stay informed when prescribed fire operations are underway.

There is a prescribed fire map that is updated as soon as a burn is planned and can be found here - https://www.tahoelivingwithfire.com/get-informed/. By clicking on the little fire symbol one can find out how big the planned fire will be, what the dates of the planned ignition are, what areas may be impacted by smoke, and who is in charge. Other important information for prescribed fires currently in progress at Lake Tahoe.

One can also go immediately to the AlertWildfire camera system and spy on a prescribed fire with a bird's eye view. This innovative technology is around the west and Lake Tahoe has its own series of cameras to watch. Find that here - http://www.alertwildfire.org/tahoe/. Although their primary use is for early detection of wildfires, the cameras can be used to identify prescribed fires in the area and potential smoke impacts.

Cooler temperatures and precipitation during spring and fall bring ideal conditions for prescribed fire at Lake Tahoe. To decide when and where to burn, forest managers consider temperature, humidity, wind, vegetation moisture, and atmospheric conditions that influence smoke dispersal.

Responsible agencies follow specialized burn plans, monitor regional weather conditions and coordinate closely with local, county and state air pollution control districts. Because agencies must wait until conditions are met, planned prescribed fires can be canceled last-minute and upcoming prescribed fires can be rescheduled.

Typically, forest managers use two methods to reintroduce fire back into our forests: pile burning and understory burning.

Pile burning is used to removed excess fuels (e.g. branches, limbs and stumps) that could feed an unwanted wildfire. It involves burning slash piles that are constructed by hand or with mechanical equipment.

Understory burning is low intensity prescribed fire that takes place on the ground (the understory). It uses a controlled application of fire to remove excess vegetation and is performed under specific environmental conditions that allow the fire to be confined within a predetermined area.

The public can sign u to receive prescribed fire notifications for Lake Tahoe by email. Send a request to pa_ltbmu@fs.fed.us and you will be added to the Prescribed Fire Notification List.

Operations this week:

North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District is pile burning at Diamond Peak Ski Resort and near War Bonnet Way / Peace Pipe Lane in Incline Village from November 9th - November 20th.

Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District is pile burning in the Glenbrook Area beginning November 17th and lasting 2-4 days.

California State Parks began pile burning at Burton Creek and Sugar Pine Point State Parks last week and may burn through December 2nd, depending on conditions.

Smoke may be present in these areas.