national forest
U.S. Forest Service: Be mindful of safety, environment and fire when at Lake Tahoe for the July 4 holiday
Submitted by Editor on Tue, 06/25/2013 - 2:22pmHeaded to Lake Tahoe for the Independence Day holiday? The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit asks residents and visitors to help protect public safety and the environment, and keep wildfire prevention in mind while celebrating.
Possession of fireworks of any kind, including sparklers, is illegal in the Lake Tahoe Basin and campfires are not permitted on National Forest beaches or in the general forest. For those planning to barbecue on the beach, the Forest Service requires the use of portable gas stoves.
Fire restrictions begin July 1 in the Lake Tahoe Basin
Submitted by Editor on Tue, 06/25/2013 - 1:11pmUPDATE: Beginning Monday, July 1, fire restrictions will go into effect in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Campfires and charcoal barbecues will be restricted to designated recreation sites, and other fire-related activities will be prohibited until the end of fire season.
“Weather patterns this winter and spring are similar to conditions in 2007, the year of the Angora Fire,” said Fire Prevention Officer, Beth Brady. “Even with the rain we have received, at this point, it won’t alleviate this summer’s high risk of wildfires.”
Kingsbury Grade now open for traffic; cause of fire under investigation
Submitted by Editor on Wed, 06/12/2013 - 4:07pm
UPDATE 8:02PM: State Route 207 Kingsbury Grade is now open to motorists with controls. Please use caution around firefighters and equipment that remain working the fire.
Fire personnel will remain on scene to gain further containment of this fire. The cause of this fire is still under investigation.
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UPDATE: 7:17PM: Around 200 firefighters remain on scene tonight on the Kings fire on the Carson Valley side of Kingsbury Grade near Lake Tahoe. The fire is approximately 4 to 5 acres in size, Douglas County authorities report. Containment is estimated by 8 p.m.
Fire restrictions begin June 17 on West Slope, July 1 in Lake Tahoe Basin
Submitted by Editor on Tue, 06/11/2013 - 1:58pmWith tinder-dry conditions after one of the driest winters on record, California fire officials will suspend burning permits along the West Slope and Eldorado National Forest beginning June 17. Fire restrictions in the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit will begin July 1.
CAL FIRE’s Amador-El Dorado- Sacramento Unit will suspend door-yard burning permits and the Forest Service will begin fire restrictions in portions of Eldorado National Forest.
PG&E settles with feds for $50.5 million over forest fires on public land
Submitted by Editor on Thu, 06/06/2013 - 3:06pmThe federal government settled two lawsuits Thursday seeking recovery against PG&E and its contractors for wildfires that scorched thousands of acres of national forest land in 2004 and 2008.
The fires — known as the “Power Fire” and the “Whiskey Fire” — collectively burned more than 18,000 acres of national forest. These settlements, totaling $50.5 million, are a significant step toward restoring the precious national resources destroyed by the fires, said U.S. Attorney Benjamin Wagner.
Forest thinning begins between Montgomery Estates and Sierra Tract
Submitted by Editor on Tue, 05/21/2013 - 2:21pmThinning of trees for fuels reduction and forest health begins this week on National Forest System lands between Montgomery Estates and Sierra Tract in South Lake Tahoe.
The contractor has begun mobilizing equipment and will begin cutting trees within the next few days. The Forest Service has closed the area from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily through July 26 for public safety due to heavy equipment operations and falling trees.
Forest Service encourages responsible snowmobiling for Lake Tahoe backcountry users
Submitted by Editor on Mon, 01/28/2013 - 4:28pm
With many people headed to the backcountry around Lake Tahoe there are areas the U.S. Forest Service has designated both on and off-limits areas for snowmobilers. Below is a news release and maps outlining rules, regulations and where to recreate around the basin.
Forest Service approves Upper Echo Lakes Fuels Reduction project
Submitted by Editor on Wed, 01/02/2013 - 4:10pmA tree thinning and fuels reduction project on about 100 acres in the Upper Echo Lakes area and portions of a roadless area could begin this year, according to a decision by the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.
The project would take up to six years to complete and includes the removal of trees up to 16 inches in diameter, which would be collected, put into piles and either burned or made available for firewood. There is a possibility of brief closures of areas adjacent to the Pacific Crest Trail, according to the Forest Service.
Christmas tree cutting permits sell out across Lake Tahoe Basin, continue on BLM land
Submitted by Editor on Mon, 12/10/2012 - 10:14amThe U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Christmas tree permits are sold out but tree cutting permits remain available on BLM lands in the Pinenut Mountains between Carson City and Yerington, the Clan Alpine and Desatoya mountains east of Fallon, and the Excelsior Mountains southeast of Hawthorne.
Lake Tahoe Heavenly improvements proposed include climbing wall, zipline, adventure park
Submitted by Editor on Sat, 11/17/2012 - 7:14pm
The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit is asking for public input on proposed summer projects at Heavenly Mountain Resort. These projects are consistent with the improvements identified in Heavenly's Master Plan Amendment and are intended to improve the overall quality of the visitor experience. In addition, these projects would provide for high-quality summer recreational uses of National Forest System land as directed by the Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2011.
Holiday tree permits go on sale in the Lake Tahoe Basin
Submitted by Editor on Tue, 11/13/2012 - 11:48amThe U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit will begin the sale of holiday tree permits the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, Nov. 23. Permits cost $10 each (cash or check only, no credit cards) with a limit of two permits per family. Permit holders may choose from a variety of pine, fir or cedar in designated cutting areas and must abide by specific permit conditions for proper and responsible collection. Harvesting smaller diameter trees offers residents and visitors a traditional holiday experience while helping to thin the forest.
With cold weather here, Forest Service urges residents to properly dispose fireplace ash
Submitted by Editor on Mon, 11/05/2012 - 10:37amWith cold weather upon us, the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit reminds residents to use caution when disposing of woodstove or fireplace ashes. Ashes can remain live and capable of starting a fire for several days, even when they appear to be out.
Off-road vehicles in Tahoe National Forest subject of lawsuit
Submitted by admin on Thu, 10/04/2012 - 12:10pmTahoe National Forest about to be a wonderland of fall color
Submitted by admin on Thu, 09/27/2012 - 9:25pmOpinion: USFS clear-cutting in Tahoe National Forest is bad policy
Submitted by admin on Wed, 09/19/2012 - 2:00amLaw enforcement seizes artifacts excavated in Alpine
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 09/18/2012 - 4:41pmA report that someone was digging in the National Forest causing significant damage led local, state and federal authorities in Alpine County to recover a number of Indian artifacts.The Alpine Coun...
Small fire near Rubicon Lake in Desolation Wilderness brings smoke to Lake Tahoe Basin
Submitted by Editor on Sun, 09/02/2012 - 10:27pmA two-acre wildfire continued to burn overnight in the Desolation Wilderness area near the boundary of the El Dorado National Forest. It is not threatening any structures and doesn't appear to be moving at a fast clip, said U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Cheva Heck. Smoke from the fire moved into the basin.
The fire was reported Sunday evening and is located near Rubicon Lake within the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit boundaries, said Heck. A helicopter has been deployed to knock down the flames and a team of firefighters will be on the fire overnight.
Lawsuit over roads in Tahoe Forest west of Reno
Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 08/20/2012 - 10:27amRENO, Nev. - A national group representing off-highway recreationists is suing the U.S. Forest Service to try to overturn a new travel management plan on national forest lands in the Sierra west of...
Suspects arrested in Douglas County marijuana operation
Submitted by Editor on Fri, 08/17/2012 - 6:02pm
Three men were arrested Wednesday for their alleged involvement in a large marijuana grow operation discovered in Douglas County in the Toiyabe National Forest near Jacks Valley.
The men arrested are Rafael Salas-Silva, 28 of Sparks, Martin Urioste-Maciel, 26, of Pasco, Wash., and Alberto Mendes-Arroyo, 23 of Reno.
The men face charges of growing more than 1,000 marijuana plants in the James Canyon area of Douglas County. The Record-Courier newspaper reports that 4,700 plants were seized.
Authorities discover marijuana grow operation in Douglas County foothills near Jacks Valley
Submitted by Editor on Wed, 08/15/2012 - 2:47pmA large marijuana grow area was discovered near Jacks Valley in the Toiyabe National Forest along the eastern foothills, Douglas County authorities said Wednesday.
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is looking for three suspects associated with the grow and have warned that the men are hiding in the forest and may emerge at any number of locations in Douglas County, including Glenbrook on the Lake Tahoe side.
Lightning sparks fires in Tahoe forest
Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 08/06/2012 - 10:39amFour small fires continued to burn Sunday in the Tahoe National Forest, sparked by Saturday's lightning storm, forest spokeswoman Ann Westling said."The lightning activity (Saturday) evening was no...
Official: Roughly 900 lightning strikes on Tahoe National Forest land
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 07/24/2012 - 12:37pmNEVADA COUNTY, Calif. - More lightning bolts struck the Tahoe National Forest Monday evening and Tuesday morning, creating a few more minor fires in remote areas of the forest, officials said.Fr...
USFS faces lawsuit over access to Tahoe National Forest
Submitted by admin on Thu, 07/19/2012 - 7:03amOff-road organizations file lawsuit over closure of national forest trails
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 07/17/2012 - 4:56pmSeveral Northern California off-road organizations took legal action Tuesday against the U.S. Department of Agriculture, due to the closure of more than 800 miles of trails in the Tahoe National Fo...
Off-road organizations file lawsuit over closure of national forest trails
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 07/17/2012 - 4:56pmSeveral Northern California off-road organizations took legal action Tuesday against the U.S. Department of Agriculture, due to the closure of more than 800 miles of trails in the Tahoe National Fo...
Fire restrictions begin Monday in the Lake Tahoe Basin
Submitted by Editor on Sat, 07/07/2012 - 11:49amFire restrictions will go into effect in the Lake Tahoe Basin on Monday July 9. A Forest Order has been issued to provide for public safety through the end of the official 2012 fire season. (see PDF below.)
Campfires, including charcoal barbecues, are prohibited except in exempted recreation sites. Smoking on National Forest land is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or within an exempted recreation site. Fire restrictions are intended to reduce the possibility of human-caused wildfires over the summer season.
Forest Service continues project to eliminate invasive weeds from the Lake Tahoe Basin
Submitted by Editor on Mon, 07/02/2012 - 6:01pmPublic land managers will continue a project to eradicate, control, and contain known and future infestations of “invasive weeds” using chemical treatment. Work will begin Monday, July 9 through Thursday, July 12, 2012, according to the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.
Firefighting helicopter calls Tahoe National Forest home
Submitted by admin on Mon, 06/18/2012 - 11:30amFire restrictions begin Monday outside the Lake Tahoe basin
Submitted by Editor on Fri, 06/15/2012 - 5:17amFire restrictions for the Carson and Bridgeport districts of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest will begin on Monday, June 18. The combination of a particularly dry winter and spring, parched vegetation, lingering drought conditions, increasing daytime temperatures, and recent human-caused fires forced the Forest Service to implement the conditions.
Letter to the editor: Hoping the conservationists' request will be granted
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 06/08/2012 - 6:00amI visit the Tahoe National Forest area often and feel a personal attachment to the area, the forests, and creatures that call those forests home. That's why I'm so appalled by what I've recently re...
Forest Service seeks public input on Lake Tahoe plan alternatives
Submitted by Editor on Fri, 06/01/2012 - 10:41amAs part of its Forest Plan revision process, the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit is asking for public comment on four alternatives for managing National Forest System lands. The alternatives respond to public input obtained from comment periods and multiple public meetings in 2008 and 2010, as well as the multi-year Pathway 2007 interagency collaboration.
Fuelwood permit sales for Tahoe Basin begin first week of June
Submitted by Editor on Sun, 05/27/2012 - 10:55amThe U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) will begin the sale of fuelwood permits at our south shore office on Monday, June 4, and at our north shore office on Wednesday, June 6, 2012. Permits cost $20 per cord with a two-cord minimum purchase and a limit of 10-cords per household.
Input sought for Heavenly Lake Tahoe 2012 capital projects; improvements would include summer activities
Submitted by Editor on Thu, 05/10/2012 - 2:02pmThe U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit has released the draft Decision Memo for 2012 Capital Improvement Projects at Heavenly Mountain Resort. Improvements would include trail upgrades, a new surface tow lift, a new Kids Adventure Zone, an outdoor event facility, summer four-wheel drive tours and a new summer hiking trail. These projects are consistent with the improvements identified in Heavenly's Master Plan Amendment and are intended to improve the overall quality of the visitor experience.
Campground fees to increase around Lake Tahoe
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 05/04/2012 - 6:00amFees at campgrounds operated by California Land Management on National Forest Land around Lake Tahoe will increase this summer, according to a statement released by the U.S. Forest Service Thursday...
Public campground fees to increase by $2 at Lake Tahoe
Submitted by Editor on Thu, 05/03/2012 - 4:25pmDue to increased costs of doing business, fees at campgrounds operated by California Land Management on National Forest System lands in the Lake Tahoe Basin will rise by $2 this season.
Camping fees will increase at Fallen Leaf (now $30), Meeks Bay (now $25), William Kent (now $25), Kaspian (now $17) and Nevada Beach (now $30 for regular sites, $34 for premium sites) campgrounds. Even with the fee increase, CLM campgrounds are below the cost of privately operated campgrounds in the basin. The fees at Bayview Campground, beaches and day-use areas remain the same.
Forest Service reminds public of continued road closures
Submitted by Editor on Mon, 04/30/2012 - 11:16amThe U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) reminds the public that National Forest System roads in the Lake Tahoe Basin remain closed. Forest Service law enforcement officers have observed widespread violations of road closures this winter. In particular, officers have issued a number of warnings and citations for driving on Forest Road 1306, which leads to Camp Shelly and Camp Concord, off Hwy. 89 North.
Eldorodo National Forest lifts seasonal road closures
Submitted by admin on Tue, 04/24/2012 - 8:24pmForest Service seeks input for MojoMan Challenge at Heavenly Mountain Resort
Submitted by Editor on Mon, 04/23/2012 - 10:04amPublic input is sought by the U.S. Forest Service on a proposed one-time event at Heavenly Mountain Resort, called the MojoMan Challenge. This is an adventure race competition that covers approximately 10.5 miles and incorporates 25 to 30 challenge obstacles along the course that participants will negotiate.
Wet terrain forces roads in Eldorado National Forest to stay closed
Submitted by admin on Sat, 04/14/2012 - 11:30amPermits to cut wood in Tahoe National Forest available in May
Submitted by admin on Thu, 04/12/2012 - 2:00amGroup works to find and name South Lake Tahoe area peak in memory of fallen soldiers
Submitted by Editor on Wed, 04/11/2012 - 2:22pm
At the urging of Congressman Tom McClintock, R-Calif., a committee has been formed to find an unnamed mountain peak seen from South Lake Tahoe that will be dedicated to fallen U.S. soldiers from the area.
Congressman McClintock's office approached the U.S. Forest Service about opportunities for a memorial. Forest Supervisor Nancy Gibson came up with the idea of naming an unnamed peak as one of the options for a memorial on National Forest System lands.
Court decision keeps OHV traffic off roads in Eldorado National Forest
Submitted by admin on Tue, 04/10/2012 - 2:00amRecent storms extend dirt road and trail closure two weeks
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 03/29/2012 - 10:00amThe seasonal closure of dirt roads and trails to motor vehicles in the Eldorado National Forest has been extended for two weeks due to the recent storms and the weather forecast of intermittent sto...
Forest Service signs decision to proceed with Upper Truckee River restoration
Submitted by Editor on Mon, 03/26/2012 - 2:50pmU.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Supervisor Nancy Gibson has signed a Decision Notice/Finding of No Significant Impact authorizing restoration activities on National Forest System lands associated with the Upper Truckee River Sunset Stables Reach.
Film profiles legendary conservationist Aldo Leopold
Submitted by Editor on Wed, 03/21/2012 - 9:55amThe U.S. Forest Service and Lake Tahoe Community College will host a free screening of “Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time” On March 28. Filmmakers Ann and Steve Dunsky will be available to answer questions after the screening.
