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UPDATE: There is a Zoom link available for the Firewise meeting on Thursday. South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting, starting at 11 a.m.

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Passcode: 315493
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SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif./DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - The City of South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County, and Douglas County’s new 3-cart curbside collection program begins at the end of August. South Tahoe Refuse says this new semi-automated collection program will be safer for their workers and reduce the use of plastic bags.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - There is only one native trout in Lake Tahoe, the Lahontan cutthroat, and there has been an ongoing effort to bring back the fish that disappeared from the lake almost 90 years ago.

There are many reasons the Lahontan cutthroat trout disappeared from Lake Tahoe including overfishing, logging, water diversions, mining, and perhaps one of the biggest reasons, the introduction of non-native species that fed on the cutthroat.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team (TFFT) forest thinning projects are underway and scheduled to continue for the next several weeks, conditions and weather permitting. Some projects are expected to continue through the fall. For project details, including land ownership, lead agency, start date, and expected duration, view the Forest Thinning Projects Map at Tahoe Living With Fire which highlights current and upcoming projects.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The week ahead in Lake Tahoe will start with dry weather and breezy conditions, and slightly below-normal temperatures. The end of the week will see an increasing chance of precipitation, most of the gusty winds, and well-below-normal temperatures (don't worry, we'll warm up again). There is even a chance for upper-elevation snow.

The forecast for South Lake Tahoe from the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno:

Monday - Sunny, with a high near 77. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

NORTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Caltrans is advising motorists of a broadband installation project continuing along State Route 28 (SR-28) along the north shore of Lake Tahoe this week. Delays are expected between Kings Beach and Tahoe City. The Southwest Gas line project has wrapped Up for the 2024 season.

The broadband project is a part of a larger statewide effort by the California Department of Technology to bring high-speed broadband into rural communities. The contractor for this project is Teichert Construction.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - As the end of summer approaches and families prepare for Labor Day celebrations, the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) reminds everyone to prioritize safety on the roads. Drivers are encouraged to make responsible choices behind the wheel by never driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

MONDAY Update: Francisco Villa Madrigal, 39, of San Jose, Calif., has been identified as the person who was pronounced dead after being pulled out of the water near Bonsai Rock. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office said the cause and manner of death are pending investigation, though no foul is suspected.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The South Lake Tahoe Police Department, in partnership with the California Highway Patrol, Douglas County Sheriff’s Department, El Dorado County Sheriff's Department, Nevada State Police, and the U.S Forest Service Law Enforcement branch will be out in force August 21 through August 25, in response to the unauthorized car event called Lake2O.

The City of South Lake Tahoe issued a press release, stating the safety of all residents and visitors is important to them.

UPDATE: The Fire Weather Watch has been upgraded to a Red Flag Warning for the Lake Tahoe region. It is in effect from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A Fire Weather Watch is in effect for the Lake Tahoe Basin and surrounding areas on Saturday from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno is calling for gusty winds and low humidity.

Winds will be from the south to southwest at 15 to 25 mph with gusts 30 to 40 mph. Humidity will be 9-15 percent.

The five-day forecast for South Lake Tahoe from NWS Reno:

PLACER COUNTY, Calif. - Just before 4 p.m. on Wednesday, August 14, Brent Clifford of Kings Beach, Calif. was taken into custody in Portola by investigators working on both the murder of a man in Reno and the case of a missing woman from Kings Beach.

Clifford had been spotted in Portola by investigators and taken into custody with the help of the Plumas County Sheriff's Office and is being held on an active warrant.

Researchers from the University of Oregon are asking for the public's help in providing feedback on wildfire risk management and evacuation planning
in areas impacted by the 2021 Caldor Fire.

They are conducting interviews with residents and professionals to discuss
diverse experiences with wildfire events and mechanisms for addressing local wildfire risk management concerns in the future.

Interviews typically take between 30 minutes and 1.5 hours and can occur 1) in person at a time, date, and location convenient for you, or (2) via phone or Zoom.

LAKE TAHOE, Nev./Calif. - When discussing Lake Tahoe and its preservation for generations to come, it doesn't come from a blue lens or a red lens, but from the collaborative lens to do what is right.

That was evident during the 28th annual Lake Tahoe Summit at Round Hill Pines Resort on Wednesday as the public came together with agencies and government officials to discuss the strides made so far, and what still needs to be done.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Contractors with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) have been working along US50 (Lake Tahoe Blvd.) this summer as part of a two-year lighting and safety improvement project between the "Y" and Pioneer Trail.

Work started in June on installing the needed conduit, and the project is scheduled to be completed by October 2025. At various times there will continue to be lane restrictions on US50.

This project will:

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - First-term State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil has announced she is switching her party affiliation from Democrat to Republican. Alvarado-Gil represents South Lake Tahoe and the rest of California's 4th State Senate District. The district encompasses the northeastern portion of the Central Valley, along with the central Sierra Nevada and all of Death Valley. It includes Stanislaus, Calaveras, Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Alpine, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Madera, Mono, and Inyo

KINGS BEACH, Calif. - The Placer County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) is asking for the public’s help in locating 48-year-old Patricia Portella-Wright, who lives in Kings Beach.

She was reported missing on Friday, August 9, 2024, when she did not show up for work. Her last known contact was on Saturday, August 3.

PCSO believes Patricia may be in the Reno area. She could be in a red, 2003 Chevrolet Blazer with Nevada plate F8942 (handicapped plates). There is a square white sticker just to the right of the rear license plate.

The sixth and final regular meeting of the Nevada State Legislative Committee for the review and oversight of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) and the Marlette Lake Water System will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, August 16 in Room 3138 of the Nevada State Legislative Building, 401 S. Carson St., Carson City, Nev.

The Nevada Highway Patrol has arrested the driver of a vehicle that was on fire on I-80 near Verdi on Sunday. The vehicle, a 2020 Alfa Romeo, is believed to have started the Gold Ranch Fire which has burned over 500 acres, so far.

The driver, Andrew Nick, was arrested on suspicion of impaired driving and booked into the Washoe County jail.

The NHP investigation is open and active.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a Red Flag Warning for the Lake Tahoe and Truckee areas. The warning for gusty winds and low humidity is in effect until 8 p.m. Monday.

Expect winds from the southwest to west of 20 to 25 mph with gusts of 30 to 35 mph.

No barbecuing or firepits whatsoever are allowed and move anything combustible at least 5 feet away from your home.

MONDAY UPDATE: As of 9 a.m., the fire has burned about 500 acres and is being worked on by 200 personnel from federal, state, and local fire agencies. The fire has been renamed the Gold Ranch Fire. Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District said their focus today is to maintain the progress they have made as winds pick up this afternoon and there is a Red Flag warning for the area. 400 homes are threatened. The goal is to hold fire south of Interstate 80, north of Garson Road. Evacuations remain in effect, and the evacuation map remains the same.

UPDATE Sunday 8PM: The fire remains at 1,938 acres with 28 percent containment. Minimal burning activity was observed today, with smoldering trees, downed snags, and pockets of brush continuing to burn within the established perimeter. The large amount of dry fuel remains a significant concern. However, improving weather conditions and a gradual cooling trend are expected to support firefighting efforts as crews continue to mop up and strengthen containment lines.

NORTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Caltrans is advising motorists of a broadband installation project and gas-line replacement work continuing along State Route 28 (SR-28) along the north shore of Lake Tahoe next week.

The broadband project is part of a larger statewide effort by the California Department of Technology to bring high-speed broadband into rural communities. The contractor for this project is Teichert Construction.

Utility work is scheduled along the shoulders of both directions of SR-28 at the following locations and times:

STATELINE, Nev. - Sir Rod Stewart canceled his August 9 show at the Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Lake Tahoe, just a few hours before showtime. On his Instagram account, a statement put to rest rumors that have been circulating since the singer canceled his 200th show in Las Vegas earlier in the week due to strep throat.

According to Instagram, Sir Rod Stewart canceled both his Lake Tahoe show and his August 10 Lincoln, Calif. show due to a "summer strain of COVID-19."

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Crozier Fire burning west of Lake Tahoe has grown to 1,582 acres and it remains five percent contained. The smoke from the fire made its way into the Lake Tahoe Basin on Thursday evening, affecting air quality on the east shore, with some poor air quality also seen in other areas of the lake, and into the Carson Valley and Reno.

The sunset in the photo above was taken from Round Hill Pines Resort.

There are currently 1,309 personnel working on the fire including those on 113 engines, 17 water tenders, 12 helicopters, 31 hand crews, and 13 dozers.