U.S. Forest Service

Volunteers needed for USFS outdoor programs at Heavenly

Are you a college student looking for an internship this winter? Are you a retired school teacher who misses your students or providing education? Or maybe you simply love the outdoors and want to be involved in your community?

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit is looking for volunteers to assist with their Winter Trek and Ski with a Ranger conservation education programs at Heavenly Mountain Resort from January through March 2018.

USFS taking reservations for 5th grade snowshoe program

The 2018 Winter Trek conservation program for fifth-grade students will run from January 9 to March 29, and sign-ups with U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) for the popular program begin December 18.

Fifth-grade teachers may reserve a spot by calling the Forest Supervisor’s office at 530-543-2789, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Field trips are generally three hours long and are offered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, weather permitting.

Prescribed fires around Lake Tahoe as weather permits

The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT) will continue prescribed fire operations over the next several weeks, weather permitting. Lake Valley, North Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Douglas fire protection districts, California State Parks, California Tahoe Conservancy and the U.S. Forest Service will conduct prescribed fire operations in multiple areas around Lake Tahoe. Smoke may be present.

A. Airport East - 1 acre
B. West 1st Creek - 25 acres
C. Diamond Peak Ski Area - 23 acres
D. Champagne Rd - 9 acres
E. Dale Drive - 1 acre
F. Cave Rock Area - 5 acres
G. Upper Kingsbury - 3 acres

Christmas tree permits all sold out in Lake Tahoe Basin

It took less than two weeks for the U.S. Forest Service to sell out of Christmas tree cutting permits. Since November 13, the first day of sales, 2,250 permits were sold from the USFS offices in South Lake Tahoe, Incline Village and Tahoe City. No additional permits will be authorize for this season.

Permits may still be available in locations outside of the Tahoe Basin. Call ahead to see if they still have the $10 permits on hand:

Bureau of Land Management
Carson City Office
5665 Morgan Mill Road,
Carson City, NV 89701
775-885-6000

Public comment sought for next phase of Stateline-Stateline bikeway

Plans for the next phase of a multi-agency project to connect North Lake Tahoe to South Lake Tahoe along State Route 28 with a Class 1 shared-use pathway are underway, and the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management is seeking public input.

Heavenly looks to widen some runs and move snowmaking lines

Heavenly Mountain Resort has taken steps to improve their skiing and snowboarding terrain while also adding energy and water efficiency changes.

Improvements would include selective widening of ski trails, removing trail obstacles and relocation and/or realignment of some portions of existing snowmaking air and water pipelines, increase energy and water efficiency as they seek to improve safety and maintain native species.

Prescribed fires resume around Lake Tahoe

Lake Valley, North Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Douglas fire protection districts, California State Parks, California Tahoe Conservancy and the U.S. Forest Service will continue Lake Tahoe Basin prescribed fire operations over the next several weeks, weather permitting. Operations are scheduled to take place at or near D.L. Bliss State Park, Carnelian Bay, Kings Beach, Incline Village, Diamond Peak Ski Resort area, Glenbrook, upper and lower Kingsbury Grade and south and east of the Lake Tahoe Airport.

South Shore

Blue Ribbon Award winners announced

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE – The winners of the 10th annual Blue Ribbon Awards were announced Thursday night at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe. Over 300 community members attended to celebrate the winners of seven awards that honor outstanding South Shore businesses, organizations and individuals for civic contributions, tourism experiences, customer service and entrepreneurial achievements.

The following are the winners of the 10th annual Blue Ribbon Awards:

Geotourism Award
Winner: Tahoe Rim Trail Association
Honorable Mention: Edgewood Tahoe
Sponsored by Bike the West

Prescribed fires resume around Lake Tahoe Saturday, weather permitting

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – California State Parks, Lake Valley, North Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Douglas fire protection districts and the U.S. Forest Service are scheduled to conduct prescribed fire operations beginning tomorrow, November 4, 2017.

Weather permitting, operations are scheduled to take place:

D.L. Bliss State Park - 25 acres
West side of Incline Village - 17 acres
West of the First Creek drainage - 25 acres
Upper Kingsbury Grade - 3 acres
Lower Kingsbury Grade - 6 acres
Off Pioneer Trail near Marshall Trail and Powerline Road - 20 acres

Column: Tahoe taking action on forest health

The heartbreaking fires in Northern California’s wine country this month have upended hundreds of thousands of people’s lives. In just over one week, the fires across Northern California burned more than 220,000 acres, destroyed 6,000 buildings, and killed more than 40 people. Our hearts go out to our neighbors in Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino counties.

Lake Tahoe recreational areas and forest roads begin their seasonal closures

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) will soon begin closing recreational facilities and forest roads around the Lake Tahoe Basin for the winter season. Seasonal closures apply to many Forest Service recreation sites including beaches, campgrounds, picnic areas and forest roads. Keep in mind that Tahoe Valley and Zephyr Cove Resort campgrounds remain open year-round along with Camp Richardson and Zephyr Cove resorts and beaches.

USFS celebrates Best in Basin awards for Camp Richardson and Stinger projects

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU), along with partners Camp Richardson Resort and the Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association (TAMBA), were recognized by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) with two “Best in Basin” awards for the Camp Richardson Resort and Campground BMP retrofit and the Kingsbury Stinger Trail Project.

Table Fire west of Lake Tahoe now at 110 acres, 15% contained

The Table Fire burning west of Lake Tahoe near Ice House Reservoir has now burned 110 acres and firefighters have it 15 percent contained.

Fire officials from the U.S. Forest Service say the updated acreage (up from Wednesday's 50 acres) is mostly due to digitally mapping the fire line. The fire is in remote country and not threatening any structures. The fire is in a sheltered location so the predicted winds on Saturday are not expected to have a significant effect.

New restaurant, pavilion and dock for Round Hill Pines resort

A new dock, breakwater, restaurant and beach pavilion will all be in place for the 2018 summer season at the Round Hill Pines Resort.

With demolition of the old structure nearly complete, work started last week on a new 3,000-square-foot facility overlooking the beach.

The new building will house a full commercial kitchen, retail space, restrooms, offices for the resort’s management and sales staff, and storage. The seating for the summer bar and grill will be in an open-air pavilion with retractable awnings.

Forest thinning project underway above Incline Village

Almost 4,000 acres of forest on the North Shore are being treated to reduce the risk of wildfire in Lake Tahoe. Named the Incline Hazardous Fuels Reduction and Healthy Forest Restoration Project, U.S. Forest Service crews resumed work on the project last week now that summer is over. Mechanical cut-to-length (CTL) tree removal is taking place in an area off of State Highway 431, the Mt. Rose Highway, until winter weather sets in.

They thin out the trees to remove excess vegetation that can feed wildfires and improve forest health and provide defensible space to neighboring communities.

New boardwalk at Taylor Creek unveiled

The popular Rainbow Trail at the U.S. Forest Service Visitor's Center in South Lake Tahoe now has a brand new boardwalk at Taylor Creek.

As Kokanee salmon head upstream on the creek, many people walking the trail to watch this annual display of nature would often wander to the creek, many to get a selfie with bears in the area, and some even disrupting the salmon run.

Prescribed fires set to return in Lake Tahoe basin

The fall prescribed fire program in the Lake Tahoe Basin will return in early October, weather permitting, according to the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT). The first areas to be burned have not been announced.

TFFT is made up of local, state and federal fire and land management agencies in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Fish are the stars at annual festival in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The Fall Fish Festival will take place at the Taylor Creek Visitor Center on Saturday and Sunday, October 7 – 8, 2017. The Taylor Creek Visitor Center is located on SR Highway 89, three miles north of South Lake Tahoe, California. Hosted by the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit in collaboration with the Tahoe Heritage Foundation, the festival is an opportunity to learn about the variety of fish species that live in Lake Tahoe and its streams including the federally threatened Lahontan cutthroat trout.

TRPA announces top 15 Best in the Basin awards

he Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) on Wednesday recognized 15 exceptional projects completed in 2016 with Best in Basin awards.

Now in its 27th year, TRPA’s Best in Basin awards program each year showcases projects around the lake that demonstrate exceptional planning, implementation, and compatibility with Tahoe’s natural environment and communities.

Fire Fest returns to the South Shore

Event Date: 
September 30, 2017 - 10:00am

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - Helicopters, fire trucks, K-9s and demonstrations are just a few of the activities planned for 23rd annual Fire Fest on Saturday, September 30, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. outside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe.

Admission is free and the event is a great opportunity for families to have fun while learning about safety and conservation.

Opinion: Tahoe South steals the show – with “Modern Family”

This past week is one for the record books in South Lake Tahoe. I know, you’re thinking record temperatures, attendance at one of our special events or our filled-to-capacity lake. All wrong -- I’m referring to ABC’s Emmy Award-winning hit TV comedy series Modern Family and the filming of the show’s season premiere here at South Shore.

Pine Nut Harvest 2017: Season begins on Nevada public lands

The 2017 pine nut harvest season kicks off on lands managed by the Nevada Bureau of Land Management and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Both agencies are working together to ensure the public is safely harvesting pine nuts and aware of the regulations.

The length of the pine nut harvest season varies depending on crop quality and seasonal weather conditions. It is generally September to late October when pine nuts are available for harvest.

Beacon light at Camp Richardson here to stay, for now

The pedestrian hybrid beacon installed at the Camp Richardson crosswalk will remain active this weekend and until further notice.

On heels of Tahoe Summit, grant given to TRPA to monitor wetlands

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $197,250 to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) to assess and restore wetlands in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Today’s announcement coincided with the 21st annual Lake Tahoe Summit in South Lake Tahoe.

TRPA will use the grant to develop a regional plan for monitoring changes in wetlands over time, prioritizing wetland restoration efforts and establishing goals for successful wetland projects.

Multiple fires start as lightning storm passes through the Sierra and Carson City

There are several lightning caused fires currently burning in the Carson City/Carson Valley area of Nevada as well as ones at Genoa Peak and Duane Bliss Peak above Lake Tahoe.

A storm system is still in the area with multiple lightning strikes.

Work to keep Lake Tahoe's clarity paying off

Lake Tahoe’s extraordinary deep water clarity is attributed to its uncommonly clean water which allows sunlight to reach much greater depths than possible in most other water bodies. Fine sediments through stormwater runoff into the lake reduces this clarity.

16 mile memorial trail to re-create wagon route at Donner

After an agreement today, a 16-mile trail to commemorate the original wagon route west over Donner Summit will be created from Kingvale through the Donner State Memorial Park in Truckee. Users will follow the original Overland Emigrant Trail but stay away from its remnants to protect the historical artifacts.

Wellness Outings: A prescription for “Nature as Medicine”

South Lake Tahoe, CA – Recovering from a major joint surgery doesn’t usually inspire the idea of snowshoeing by moonlight, but that’s exactly what Carol Bennis, age 75, was asked to do during her recovery last February.

Carol had never been on snowshoes before, or hiked at night, but when she heard her surgeon and other patients at a similar stage of recovery would be there, she decided to try it out.

UCDavis Tahoe Talk: Little Known Stories from Tahoe's Past with Bill Morgan

Event Date: 
August 24, 2017 - 5:30pm

Bill Morgan, who once headed up both Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and U.S. Forest Service in Lake Tahoe, will share 30 years of intriguing stories of what happened in Lake Tahoe from 1965-1989 at the August 24 U.C Davis TERC talk in Incline Village.

In Bill Morgan's book, Morgan's Tahoe, he talks of those turbulent times in Tahoe's history. With his jobs he was caught up in the turbulence himself. His firsthand knowledge of those happenings has given him a unique perspective of Tahoe in those days. Most of these tales are little known by any except those who were involved themselves.

Carson City fire blamed on fireworks

A 20-acre brush fire in Carson City on Thursday was caused by fireworks, according to fire officials. The fire is now fully contained.

At 3:50 p.m. August 3, fire broke out behind the Greenhouse Nursery there was immediate response from Carson City, East Fork Fire Protection, Tahoe Douglas Fire, Truckee Meadows, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Forest Service. Aircraft also flew in from Sierra Front Interagency in Minden.

Forest to be thinned along Pope-Baldwin Bike Path and State Route 89

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) will begin the mechanical removal of trees on 100 acres of forest lands along State Route 89 and the Pope-Baldwin Bike Path this week. The project should last until mid-October.

Burke Creek Restoration Project begins final stage

The final phase of the Burke Creek Highway 50 Crossing and Realignment Project near Kahle Drive in Stateline will begin on Monday, July 31.

Douglas County, Nevada Department of Transportation, Nevada Division of State Lands, Nevada Tahoe Conservation District and the U.S. Forest Service have partnered together to restore the Burke Creek channel and adjacent marsh. The project aims to decrease the amount of sediment that flows into nearby Lake Tahoe while also reducing the potential for flooding on U.S. Highway 50.

Hike with a ranger this summer at top of Heavenly Gondola

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The sun is out and the snow is melting - now is the time to get out and enjoy summer on your National Forest lands! The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) and Heavenly Mountain Resort invite you to Hike with a Ranger this summer. Hikes will take place every Friday and Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. at the top of the Heavenly Gondola. The duration of the guided hike is approximately one hour and will continue every weekend through September 2, 2017, weather permitting.

Super Scoopers return to Lake Tahoe Airport

Two Bombardier CL415 firefighting aircraft have returned to South Lake Tahoe for their third summer, using the airport as a base once again to fight fires across the nation.

In 2015 the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) got the aircraft on a five year contract to use at their disposal. They can be used around Lake Tahoe or sent to other states, depending on the need.

Small fire and jet ski accident keeping fire and police busy in South Lake Tahoe

The long 4th of July holiday weekend in South Lake Tahoe got off to a busy start Saturday with a water rescue and fire.

A boater saw smoke coming from the hillside near Heavenly, called it in from their location off the Ski Run Marina at 1:29 p.m. and South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue and Police combed the streets in the area to try and locate the source. The fire was spotted on U.S. Forest Service land off Keller Road in between Ruby Way and Wildwood Ave.

Keys Cafe opens satellite summer location at Camp Richardson

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Locals and visitors can now enjoy the signature coffee, smoothies, and baked goods of Keys Cafe at both ends of the bike trail with the addition of a satellite location in Camp Richardson's Coffee & Confectionery shop located on Highway 89.

We really saw this as a great opportunity and a synergy between our two businesses,” said Jeremy Gilpin, co-owner of the Tahoe Keys Café. “With such diverse menus we were able to come together and not cross, but be an added benefit to the resort.”

Douglas County rules to keep people safe at Lake Tahoe on 4th of July

As the 4th of July approaches, Sheriff Pierini and members of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office are reminding the public about rules the county has surrounding the holiday.

Possession and or discharge of fireworks is unlawful and will not be tolerated. Persons found in violation of the fireworks ordinance face criminal penalties, including a fine of up to $1,000.00 and/or confinement in the county jail for a period of up to six months.

Snow and water still over many Desolation Wilderness trails

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit wilderness ranger scouting expeditions last week have brought back some updated trail conditions for those planning to venture into Desolation Wilderness.

Many hikers are turning around because of difficulty they have in finding the trail because of the large amount of snow at upper elevations, limited dry ground, frozen lakes, and high stream crossings.

First responders and resilient community honored on 10th anniversary of Angora Fire

"It was so frustrating and only so much we could do," recalled Kit Bailey of the U.S. Forest Service during Saturday's Angora Fire First Responder Remembrance Ceremony. "Its miraculous nobody got hurt."

On the 10th anniversary of the devastating fire that destroyed 254 homes as it burned quickly through 3,100 acres in the Meyers area of the South Shore, fire responders gathered at the Lake Valley Fire Department to honor those who served that day, and to honor the resilient community that supported them.

Events at Lake Valley Fire and Valhalla mark 10th anniversary of Angora Fire

Event Date: 
June 24, 2017 - 8:30am

Events continue on the South Shore to mark the 10th anniversary of the Angora Fire.

Angora Fire First Responder Remembrance Ceremony
Saturday, June 24, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Lake Valley Fire Protection District Station 7, 2211 Keetak Street, South Lake Tahoe, CA

Angora Commemoration
Saturday, June 24, 10:30 a.m. to noon
Valhalla Grand Lawn, 1 Valhalla Road, State Route 89, South Lake Tahoe, CA
Sponsored by the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team

Speakers for the event:
Welcome South Lake Tahoe Mayor Austin Sass

Lake Tahoe Visitor's Authority donates to new TAMBA trails

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority fundraising effort from last month’s Amgen Tour of California raised more than $1,700 for the Tahoe Area Mountain Bike Association toward building new mountain biking and hiking trails. A welcome reception, team presentation and silent auction provided necessary funds toward Phase One construction of the new trail system totaling six miles at Fallen Leaf Lake/Angora Ridge.

This summer TAMBA is working with the U.S. Forest Service to build the initial phase of the eventual 15 miles of new trails. Phase One includes:

Wild Tahoe Weekend: Native species and bird festivals

Event Date: 
June 24, 2017 (All day)

Get ready for a wild time as the Tahoe Institute for Natural Science (TINS) and the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) host Wild Tahoe Weekend.

Join them June 24-25, 2017 at the Taylor Creek Visitor Center, just three miles north of South Lake Tahoe on Highway 89. Residents and visitors are invited to attend this free family event.

Firefighters from South Lake Tahoe head to New Mexico and Arizona fires

Two local firefighters will be joining almost 600 California-based U.S. Forest Service wildland firefighters and support personnel as they head to Arizona and New Mexico to fight massive fires.

In Arizona, almost 40,000 acres have burned in over ten fires; In New Mexico 13,000 acres have burned this week, over 30,000 acres last week.

The personnel that are part of this mobilization come from all 18 national forests in California (Pacific Southwest Region).

Prescribed burns slated to resume in Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The U.S. Forest Service resumed prescribed fire operations today and may continue operations tomorrow, June 14, 2017. If conditions are favorable, operations may take place on Brockway Summit and near Glenbrook. Operations may continue for several days, weather permitting. To receive prescribed fire notifications, send an email to pa_ltbmu@fs.fed.us. To view a map with project locations and details, visit the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT) website at http://www.tahoefft.org.

Angora Fire 10 years later: Water suppliers complete $1.6M in water infrastructure projects

Igniting on June 24, 2007, the Angora Fire rapidly spread to over 3,100 acres, destroying 254 homes, 75 commercial structures and resulting in more than $141 million in damages. In response to this disaster, an Emergency California-Nevada Tahoe Basin Fire Commission was formed to conduct a comprehensive review of the laws, policies and practices that affect the vulnerability of the Tahoe Basin to wildfires.

Upper Truckee channel and revegetation project doing well with extra runoff

"The channel looks good and recovery is holding up," said Theresa Cody, Restoration Hydrologist with the U.S. Forest Service. "Water is on the flood plains as its supposed to."

Cody was talking about the $7 million project on part of the Upper Truckee River known as Reach 5. The three-year long restoration project was to improve the river channel stability and aquatic habitat along 1.2 miles of the river adjacent to the Lake Tahoe Airport.

Life in the mountains: Practice proper food storage

After a challenging winter and spring in the Lake Tahoe Basin, the summer season is upon us. Agencies around Lake Tahoe (U.S. Forest Service, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, California State Parks, California and Nevada Departments of Wildlife) are reminding residents and visitors to practice proper food storage and trash disposal when living in, or visiting, bear country.

Forest thinning operations near Fallen Leaf Lake until July 1

Whole tree removal will take place near Fallen Leaf Campground for the next month as part of the U.S. Forest Service's healthy forest program in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

The public is being asked to avoid that area during operations due to hazardous conditions associated with heavy equipment, falling trees, limb removal and trees being cut into sections.

Work in this area will stop around July 1, 2017, and any unfinished work will resume after Labor Day.

The work area along Fallen Leaf Lake Road off of SR-89 could be hazardous even when work crews are not present so use caution.

Local Rotary clubs help UNR fire camera network at Tahoe prepare for robust fire season

With a record mountain snowpack changing to a robust, above normal, significant fire potential, wildland firefighting agencies are gearing up for another fire season and the University of Nevada, Reno is ramping up its AlertTahoe HD/4K fire camera system, which overlooks and helps protect dozens of western mountain ranges and hundreds of square miles of Nevada’s Great Basin.

Lake Tahoe Basin fuelwood permit sales begin May 30

LAKE TAHOE, Calif/Nev. - The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit will begin the sale of personal use fuelwood permits at the Forest Supervisor’s Office in South Lake Tahoe on Tuesday, May 30, 2017, and at the Incline Village office on Wednesday, May 31, 2017. Permits cost $20 per cord, with a two-cord minimum purchase and a limit of 10 cords per household.

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