LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – Lake Tahoe area firefighters will be performing prescribed fire operations this week in the Lake Tahoe Basin.
4/14 – 4/17, Nevada Division of Forestry – 5 acres of hand piles to be burned at Van Sickle Bi-State Park near Stateline, NV.
4/15 – 4/16 – Liberty 3025 project – 9 acres of hand piles to be burned south of Pioneer Trail, East of Alice Lake Road.
4/15 – 4/16 – Liberty 8026 – 2.7 acres of hand piles to be burned south of Pioneer Trail, north of Trout Creek.
4/15 – 4/16 – Liberty 3027 – 9 acres of hand piles to be burned south of Pioneer Trail, south, southeast of Hekpa Drive
4/20 – Tunnel Creek Understory Burn is tentatively planned for the week of 4/20, pending favorable weather and site conditions. During burn operations, the East Shore Trail will have a partial closure where it passes through the burn unit, and Tunnel Creek Road will be closed to recreational access.
Areas can be changed should conditions allow. 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.