High avalanche danger for Lake Tahoe - one takes out power lines at Stanford Camp

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The U.S. Forest Service Sierra Avalanche Center has issued a backcountry avalanche warning for the central Sierra Nevada between Yuba Pass to the north and Ebbetts Pass to the south, including the greater Lake Tahoe area. High avalanche danger is expected in the mountains through at least Monday morning.

Expect slabs of wind-blown snow and storm snow to avalanche as heavy snow, some rain, and strong winds continue today. Avalanches could occur on any steep slope at any elevation. Travel in, near, or below avalanche terrain is not recommended.

The Center reports avalanches spotted near Mt. Rose, Donner Summit, Andesite Ridge, Luther Pass area, Jakes Peak, Red Lake Peak, Stevens Peak, and the Minden Mile.

On Friday night, an avalanche came down at Stanford Camp on the south end of Fallen Leaf lake. It took out power lines and destroyed the generator building. South Tahoe Public Utility District wastewater operations are all about redundancy, and they brought in an emergency generator to keep the system running. There is no report on what other structures at Stanford Camp have been damaged.