LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit firefighters are joining other agencies this week in performing prescribed fire operations in the Lake Tahoe Basin.
This week, as weather conditions allow:
Skunk Harbor Admin Rx, ½ Acre of Piles, Carson City Rural Area, Highway 28, East Shore
Upper Kingsbury Urban Lots Rx, 14 Acres of Piles, Douglas County, Upper Kingsbury Grade, Southeast Shore, In coordination with Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District. 15 acres of pile burning along Kingsbury Grade for the Kingsbury/NV Energy Forest Service project.
Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District – 6 acres of pile burning along Daggett Summit for Upper Kingsbury Forest Service Urban Lots
Tahoe Hills Urban Lots Rx, 5 Acres of Piles, El Dorado County, Highway 89, Tahoe Hills/Rubicon Bay, West Shore
Nevada Division of Forestry – 5 acres of pile burning for Bon Pland Pile Burning project by Tunnel Creek
For a current map of all prescribed fire operations around Lake Tahoe, visit https://www.tahoelivingwithfire.com/get-informed/lake-tahoe-basin-prescribed-fire-project-map/.
Prescribed fires are used to help reduce overgrown vegetation and protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires. Every prescribed fire starts with a detailed burn plan, which is essentially a playbook for how the project will unfold. It includes specific objectives, desired weather conditions, smoke management strategies, safety measures, and contingency plans if conditions change. Burn plans also outline who’s responsible for each role and what permits and agency approvals are required before ignition can even begin.
These plans aren’t just paperwork; they’re a safety net. By defining clear parameters and backup actions, burn plans ensure that prescribed fire stays within control lines and meets ecological goals, protecting both people and the landscape.