Prescribed burn at Fallen Leaf Lake draws concern from residents

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - An unscheduled prescribed burn at Fallen Leaf Lake on Thursday was the cause of concern from many Lake Tahoe area residents as smoke could be seen for miles.

Fire officials from the USFS Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit were in the area to do test burns for a future ignition when they found the conditions to be right to start their 50-acre project of burning hand piles along Fallen Leaf Lake Road near South Lake Tahoe.

They don't plan on burning all 50 at the same time, but with a wet period forecast for the rest of January, people may see smoke for several days as the project continues when favorable.

Also in the same area, there are logging operations underway for a forest-thinning project. Watch for large trucks with trees traveling Fallen Leaf Lake Road.

For an updated prescribed burn map, visit https://www.tahoelivingwithfire.com/get-informed.