tahoe basin

As we welcome in 2016, the City of South Lake Tahoe would like to reflect on the accomplishments of 2015. The following is a summary of accomplishments during 2015.

Strategic Priority: Fiscal Sustainability
The most important issue facing cities and local agencies is continued steadfast attention to the budget, both short term and long term fiscal impacts.
· FY 15/16 budget adopted on time and without use of alternative revenues (3rd consecutive year).
· Adopted 5-year Financial Forecast and 5-Year Capital Investment Plan.

Celebrate National Winter Trails Day by participating in a FREE guided snowshoe hike in Van Sickle Bi-State Park on January 9, 2016, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participants will learn about Lake Tahoe’s pristine environment while experiencing the enjoyment of snowshoeing.

There is no cost to participate but it is only open to first 20 people to sign up. Register in advance by calling 530-542-6059 or email: kedwards@cityofslt.us.

A winter storm warning has been issued for the Lake Tahoe basin from 10 a.m. Monday to 10 a.m. Tuesday. Periods of heavy snow will begin Monday morning with accumulations 18"-36" above 7,000 feet. Snow accumulations below 7,000 feet will vary with 4"-12" expected. Snow levels will start at 6,000 feet Monday morning, rising to 7,000 feet by the Tuesday morning. The heavier precipitation is expected Tuesday.

The incoming storm will have winds with it as well, 10-25 mph with gusts to 40 mph in the morning Monday, tapering down by afternoon.

Just seventeen days ago, Joel Suenkel was leading troops in Wiesbaden, Germany as an Army Colonel. The 30 year veteran of serving in the Armed Forces wrapped up his career when he retired on December 1. Just five days later he was in South Lake Tahoe in his new position as Deputy Forest Supervisor of the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit of the US Forest Service.

His first day on the job happened to be his new employer's annual Christmas party. Suenkel spent that evening meeting his new co-workers

North Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Douglas fire protection districts, the Nevada Division of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service have scheduled widespread prescribed fire operations the week of December 13, 2015.

Expect to see smoke from the prescribed burns in the following areas:

On the West Shore, off Elizabeth Drive north of Tahoma.

On the South Shore, northwest of Fallen Leaf Lake, off Lake Tahoe Boulevard near Twin Peaks, off South Upper Truckee Road near Meyers and on Kingsbury Grade.

With the onset of winter weather, all construction activity has concluded for the season on state highways in the Lake Tahoe Basin, but significant upgrades have been completed.

It is still a few days away, but the warnings are already being issued for a winter storm headed to the Sierra Nevada.

A winter storm warning has been issued for Lake Tahoe, starting late Wednesday day and going until Thursday night. The National Weather Service issued the warning, saying there is a potential for significant snow accumulations that may create hazardous driving conditions.

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) is seeking comments on a proposal for the management and uses of existing roads, trails and facilities located on National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Winter has arrived in the Tahoe Basin with very welcome early snow events and freezing night time temperatures, allowing snowmaking operations to commence to help open ski resorts early. Given California’s drought and the District’s request for continued water conservation, one may wonder about the wisdom of using water for snowmaking.

Anyone on the roads today noticed a big influx of travelers, both inside the Tahoe basin and on the state's highways.

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) advises motorists that experts are predicting a slight increase in all methods of travel nationwide, with about 47 million people traveling either by car or airplane for the Thanksgiving holiday.

North Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Douglas fire protection districts will continue prescribed fire operations around Incline Village, Kingsbury Grade and Van Sickle Bi-State Park through next week as weather and conditions allow.

On the west side on Incline Village, crews will be burning 77 acres of hand piles starting Monday, November 23.

35 acres on Park Cattle property near Van Sickle Bi-State Park were ignited Wednesday and will continue as conditions allow.

This past summer was Lake Tahoe’s busiest tourist season in recent memory. With the economy rebounding and major population growth projected for nearby metropolitan areas, this summer is also a harbinger of change. We must be prepared to meet the challenges of increased visitation in the future.

This just in from the National Weather Service in Reno: The next storm rolls into the Sierra late Saturday night through Sunday evening. Sunday will begin breezy, and a Lake Wind Advisory has been issued for Lake Tahoe. This system will move through the region more quickly than the last storm. Travel impacts can be expected in the Sierra from western Lassen County through the Tahoe Basin into Mono County.

The SnowGlobe Music Festival announced Thursday additional artists to the 5th anniversary of the three-day celebration in South Lake Tahoe December 29-31, 2015. Hosted in the heart of California’s breathtaking Sierra Nevada Mountains, the unique outdoor winter festival offers over 50 world-class artists performing multiple stages and culminating in an impressive NYE firework show. By day, time is spent enjoying the many alpine adventures available in the stunning setting of Lake Tahoe.

Mother Nature has put in her best effort and the opening date at both Heavenly and Northstar have been moved up to November 14. The new snow totals overnight, combined with both the anticipated snowfall Monday night and snowmaking efforts, have helped the resorts open a week early.

Sierra-at-Tahoe hasn't given an opening date but Kirkwood has put November 21 on the calendar for their big day. Sierra's marketing team told South Tahoe Now that they are getting excited since snow is falling, and plan on opening as soon as possible.

Boreal and Mt. Rose resorts have already opened.

With predictions for one of the biggest winters in over a decade, now is the time to buy a Lake Tahoe license plate so you can ski for free in Tahoe. The popular “Plates for Powder” program is back, and once again offers individuals who purchase a new Lake Tahoe license plate in either California or Nevada two free lift tickets to one of 12 Tahoe resorts participating in the program.

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) lifted fire restrictions on National Forest System lands on Friday, October 30, 2015.

“While conditions have allowed the Forest Service to lift fire restrictions, wildfires can still occur,” said Fire Management Officer, Kit Bailey. “Visitors to our National Forests need to educate themselves about how to safely build and extinguish a campfire, and should continue to be careful and remember that campfires are only allowed in certain areas.”

Some have jobs. Some have families. Some are recent high school graduates. Some are retired military. Some are college graduates. They are all future firefighters.

One month into the new school year, 33 men and women are part of the tenth class of firefighters being trained at the Lake Tahoe Community College's program, the Lake Tahoe Basin Fire Academy. This year's class started with 36 students, but some find out early on how physically demanding the program is and they find it isn't for them.

North Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Douglas fire protection districts, California State Parks and the U.S. Forest Service will conduct prescribed fire operations next week in multiple locations around the Lake Tahoe Basin. Operations are planned near Incline Village, Tahoe City, Meyers, Stateline and Zephyr Cove. Operations may continue over the next several weeks as conditions allow.

Current Projects:
Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District - 8 acres near Warrior Way
Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District - 25 acres near Hwy 50/Kingsbury Grade

With more than 4,000 acres of land in the Lake Tahoe basin being burned by the U.S. Forest Service annually, prescribed burns have become an important part of keeping forests healthy.

On Thursday, I followed the Tallac Hotshots as well as Engines 41 and 42 from the U.S. Forest Service as they burned an eight acre parcel off Grass Lake Road in Christmas Valley.

There will soon be a new Fanny Bridge in Tahoe City now that the Tahoe Transportation District has secured all of the $33 million needed to complete the State Route 89/Fanny Bridge Community Revitalization Project and Meeks Bay Trail Project.

Expect to see smoke in the Christmas Valley and Meyers areas of the South Shore as the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit begins prescribed fire operations on Saturday, October 17. They plan to start the season by burning 122 acres of hand piles near Grass Lake Road off southbound Highway 89. They will continue on the project over the next several weeks as conditions allow.

Expect to see smoke travel in a north/northeast direction.

Nevada residents who live at the lake will soon be able to attend Lake Tahoe Community College at a reduced tuition rate instead of the higher out-of-state tuition fees other non-residents pay.

The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT), which includes numerous fire and land management agencies in the Lake Tahoe Basin, will begin fall prescribed fire operations as soon as weather conditions are favorable.

“Prescribed fire is an important tool used to maintain forest health and reduce the build-up of hazardous fuels,” said U.S. Forest Service Fire Management Officer, Kit Bailey. “Cooler, wetter fall weather is an ideal time to carry out these projects that help reduce the chance of wildfire and provide added protection to communities in the Lake Tahoe Basin.”