fall

Members of the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team, which includes local, state and federal fire and land management agencies, are scheduled to continue prescribed fire operations in the Lake Tahoe Basin over the next few weeks, weather permitting.

The 13 areas currently on the planned operations:

The old Tahoe Pines Campground near the intersection of US Hwy 50 and South Upper Truckee Rd. by the California Tahoe Conservancy. 8 acres of Machine Piles.

Upper Kinsbury, Valley Side by the Tahoe Douglas Fire District. 40 acres of Hand Piles.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Caltrans will continue roadwork projects in El Dorado County and Lake Tahoe as weather permits. All grading has been completed in the Lake Tahoe Basin until Spring 2020.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - More unsettled weather is on the way. A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect from Friday afternoon through Sunday morning for the greater Lake Tahoe area.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Sierra-at-Tahoe announced today they will begin spinning lifts for the 2019-20 Winter Season this Saturday, November 30, at 8:30 a.m.

After a slow start to November, Mother Nature has turned on the tap, bringing Sierra two feet of snow and counting in the last 48 hours. This, combined with Sierra’s snowmaking efforts, will allow the resort to open for operations. Conditions permitting, Sierra plans to run Easy Rider Express, Rock Garden Chair and two surface lifts, with access to 2 runs and one terrain park.

Most traffic-interfering work will be restricted from 6 a.m. Wednesday, November 27 until 10 p.m. Monday, December 2 due to the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

U.S. Highway 50 (El Dorado County): Work continues on a $5.2 million project to upgrade metal beam guardrail and construct concrete barriers at 89 locations from the Red Hawk Undercrossing to 1.9 miles west of the junction with State Route 89 in Meyers. Completion is expected this fall or spring 2020.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) will begin the sale of Christmas tree permits on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. Permits cost $10 each payable by cash, check or credit card (though they prefer the quicker transaction of cash).

There is a change to the policy this year - only one permit will be allowed per family or per address, instead of the previous two. They said by limiting permits to one per family, more will enjoy cutting down a tree this year.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Caltrans will continue roadwork projects in El Dorado County and Lake Tahoe as weather permits. All grading has been completed until Spring 2020.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

U.S. Highway 50 (El Dorado County): Work continues on a $5.2 million project to upgrade metal beam guardrail and construct concrete barriers at 89 locations from the Red Hawk Undercrossing to 1.9 miles west of the junction with State Route 89 in Meyers. Completion is expected this fall or spring 2020.

Single lane closures will be in place on State Route 28 in Crystal Bay on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe on Thursday, Nov. 14 as the Nevada Department of Transportation installs a new “Welcome to Nevada” monument.

Single lane closures will take place between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. near the intersection of SR28 and Stateline Road in Crystal Bay. Drivers should anticipate moderate travel delays as traffic flaggers and pilot cars alternate both directions of traffic through the work zone.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - As weather allows, Caltrans will continue work as they wrap up their projects. NOTE: Most lane closures are restricted on Monday, November 11 due to the Veterans Day holiday.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

U.S. Highway 50 (El Dorado County): Work continues on a $5.2 million project to upgrade metal beam guardrail and construct concrete barriers at 89 locations from the Red Hawk Undercrossing to 1.9 miles west of the junction with State Route 89 in Meyers. Completion is expected this fall or spring 2020.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Barton Memorial Hospital received an ‘A’ grade for patient safety, recognizing Barton’s system-wide measures in protecting patients from harm and providing safer health care.

This fall, Rabbi Mordey Richler of Chabad at Lake Tahoe will offer Worrier to Warrior, a new six-session course, to help people deal with life challenges by accepting themselves and finding meaning in adversity.

Beginning Thursday, Nov. 14 at 10:00am, participants in the course will take on life’s challenges by examining factors that prevent us from achieving a more positive outlook—guilt, shame, and fear of inauthenticity—in light of the notion that a purposeful life provides the key to well-being.

A burned area assessment of the area burned by last month's Caples Fire is now underway. The Incident Commander Kevin Breitwieser has declared that the Caples Fire is now 100 percent contained and in patrol status at 3,435 acres.

There has been almost no change in fire size since October 18. The extreme wind event on October 26 that prompted a public safety power shutoff was a good test of the containment lines and resulted in three small spots that were extinguished. Traces of smoke from interior burning will continue to be visible, but no additional fire growth is expected.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Caltrans is wrapping up their 2019 road projects in the Sierra and on the California side of Lake Tahoe.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) has released the "Proposed Action for the Winter Recreation and Over Snow Vehicle (OSV) Travel Management Project," and in that document are changes to snowmobile access in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

They have proposed to open OSV use (snowmobiles) to areas around the lake that have been restricted in the past and close up other areas. The plan still leaves about 50 percent of the lands managed by LTBMU open to OSV use.

The new areas proposed for OSV use

The South Lake Tahoe Cancer League is holding its inaugural Fall Festival fundraiser on Saturday, October 26, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the American Legion.

Admission is free.

There will be vendors on hand to help you start your holiday shopping or complete fll decorating needs. Some of those with their displays include Sierra Paradise Gardens, Senegence Beauty, artist Jannette Hamman, Tupperware, and Color Street.

All proceeds from booth rental fees go directly to the SLT Cancer League.

The American Legion Post 795 is located at 2748 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Bid on week-long vacations to Kauai and other paradises, golf packages at private courses around the country, or a chef-prepared dinner for ten in your home during an online auction to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe through Monday, October 28.

More than 30 prize packages are up for bid including hotel packages at Tahoe and Reno hotels/resorts, sports and movie memorabilia, and $1,000 worth of wine. Visit http://bgclt.charitygrow.org/ to make bids.

There are many things that help those living in Lake Tahoe predict what winter will be like: Has the snow in the cross of Mt. Tallac melted? What does the Farmer's Almanac say? Are the squirrels fatter? Is NOAA going to be right in their three-month forecast?

There is no app to give one the perfect insight into what winter has in store and most weather can only be predicted a week out. For generations, people have relied on signs from Mother Nature.

After pleasant weather conditions today, gusty winds and some fire weather, travel, and recreation concerns return Saturday, according to the National Weather Service in Reno.

Today will be characterized by generally light winds and average temperatures in South Lake Tahoe, with some sun. Expect this to change by Saturday, however, as a wave drops out of the Pacific Northwest bringing gusty winds to the region. So, if you have outdoor fall and Halloween decorations, today will be a good day to check that they are secured.

10.15.19 7:00 p.m. UPDATE: Tuesday was a productive day for firefighters. The northern ridge and southwestern corner are now contained and being patrolled. The containment lines on the eastern and southwestern sides of the fire containment lines are in progress. The hand line on the south side was extended farther northeast towards Castle Point by crews using tactical firing operations. Stronger winds from the southwest are expected late Wednesday afternoon and evening with light precipitation expected Thursday morning.

Placer County has purchased the 11-acre Nahas property near Tahoe City for $3.42 million. They are working with housing developer partner Related-Pacific Companies to develop conceptual options for a potential mixed-use commercial and achievable housing project on the site.

While the purchase represents a step forward in bringing more achievable housing to North Lake Tahoe, development concepts for the site are still in early stages and no project proposal has yet been brought forward for formal consideration or approval.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Smoke from the prescribed burn near Caples Creek should affect the Lake Tahoe Basin through Wednesday afternoon, then shift direction as the winds come from the Northeast.

The USFS Eldorado National Forest has completed ignitions on the Caples Prescribed Fire. Crews will patrol and monitor the area over the next few days during the wind event Wednesday through Thursday. Smoke sensitive individuals are encouraged to reduce their exposure by avoiding smoky areas, closing windows, or staying indoors.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Warm autumn weather continues before a cold front brings breezy winds Tuesday and Tuesday night followed by much cooler temperatures Wednesday and Thursday. Widespread freezes will occur Thursday and Friday mornings. Next weekend should be mild and dry, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno.

Warm fall temperatures on tap for Monday after a cool morning with light winds. It begins to change Tuesday with increasing winds ahead of a strong, dry cold front. Some lake concerns are possible with the stronger winds.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Caltrans is conducting work on Lake Tahoe and Sierra highways. The following are their current projects for the week of Octber 6-11, 2019.

LONG-TERM PROJECTS

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Just as the throngs of visitors head to Taylor Creek to watch the annual salmon run up Taylor Creek, the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) has issued a forest closure to last through the spawning season, October 27.

The public, including photographers, cannot enter Taylor Creek or be within 400 feet of the creek from the Fallen Leaf Dam and continuing north to the high-water mark on the shore of Lake Tahoe.