warnings

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has upgraded their previous warnings for the Lake Tahoe Basin. There is now a Red Flag Warning in effect Saturday, October 10 from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect.

The combination of gusty winds and extremely dry fuels can cause fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity before first responders can contain them, so use extreme caution.

The Fork Fire west of Lake Tahoe remains at 1,752 acres and is now 34 percent contained. Low pressure off the coast will advance toward the region, bringing an increase in afternoon southwest winds across ridge tops and aligned drainages. Dry conditions will persist with slight cooling.

The front will pass over the area on Friday, driving gusty southwest and west winds with cooler temperatures and higher humidity. Little to no precipitation is expected.

There are over 40 major fires currently burning in California, filling skies with heavy smoke from the ocean to the Sierra up and down the state. While there are no fires in the Lake Tahoe Basin, there are a few close enough to be responsible for sending smoke into the region. The closest is the Fork Fire east of Lake Tahoe about 13 miles northeast of Pollock Pines. To the south is the Slink Fire and northwest is the large North Complex.

Fork Fire

Statistics on the Fork Fire have not been updated all day. As of 11:00 a.m. Wednesday the estimated size was 2,500 acres.

The Creek Fire burning south of Yosemite near Shaver Lake has grown to 143,929 acres. The fire, which started Friday night, continues to grow under extreme conditions causing crowning and wind driven runs and long range spotting. There is no containment at this time.

Smoke from the Creek Fire has filled the Lake Tahoe Basin for the past three days.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - As tourists fill the Lake Tahoe Basin and locals plan their holiday weekend there are rules that everyone needs to remember - no outside fires with charcoal or wood, and wear a mask.

Although people may want to take a vacation, the pandemic doesn’t so make sure you are following proper safety precautions.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued a Red Flag Warning for thunderstorms and strong outflow winds for Monday, July 27 from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect.

Normally, the Basin averages six Red Flag Warnings per season, and this makes four - and it's still July. Please remember all outdoor sources of open flame are prohibited until the Red Flag Warning declaration expires, and that includes gas/propane fire pits and grills.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Just after 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, a strong cell moved over Meyers and South Lake Tahoe bringing warnings of frequent lightning, heavy rain, half dollar sized hail and wind gusts up to 60 mph.

During the system a bolt of lightning struck a home on Inverness Drive in the Tahoe Keys.

Simultaneously, alarms went off at South Tahoe Middle School and in a condo on Ala Wai Blvd.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A Lake Wind Advisory for Lake Tahoe remains in effect from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Saturday, June 6. Also under the warnings are Donner, Fallen Leaf, Prosser, and Boca.

The National Weather Service is forecasting southwest winds 20-25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. Waves on Lake Tahoe could be 2-4 feet. Small boats, kayaks and paddleboards will be prone to capsizing and should remain off lake waters until conditions improve.

And if the wind wasn't enough, there is a chance of snow for Lake Tahoe Saturday night.

The weekend forecast:

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Owners of vacation rentals or second homes located in South Lake Tahoe may not use them as long as the Governor's "Stay at Home" order is in place unless are doing so under allowable circumstances.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The forecast snow is here, with 2-3 feet reported at the upper elevations. The snow is affecting lower elevations as well, with chain controls starting to the west at Apple Hill.

If on the roads, check conditions often and go slow as there is snow and ice on the roads and a lot of traffic. There is another 21" of snow forecast for Sunday at lake level.

For up to the minute information, visit https://nvroads.com/ for Nevada roads and http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ for California roads.

Chain controls as of 9:00 a.m. Sunday:

I80

LAKE TAHOE, Nev./Calif. - Operation Sierra Storm, a leading national weather conference being held on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe Jan. 26-28, 2020, is a cutting-edge meteorological forum and seminar for network television meteorologists from around the country.

The Lake Tahoe Visitor's Authority has invited the public to one of the events during the conference, Fire Conditions, Community Safety and Tahoe Climate Impact, on January 27 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in Harveys Lake Tahoe Cabaret Theater.

CAL FIRE firefighters are staffing up and preparing for the forecasted extreme fire weather across California. The National Weather Service has issued red flag warnings and fire weather watches for areas of northern, central and southern California. This will likely be the strongest offshore wind event so far this season.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – As we move into the warmest and driest days of summer and early fall, the threat of catastrophic wildfire increases throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin. High winds, low relative humidity, and dry vegetation are a dangerous combination. When dangerous fire weather is forecasted, the National Weather Service may issue a Red Flag Warning.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In an attempt to address traffic concerns on side roads in the Meyers area, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and El Dorado County (EDC) conducted a test and put up two road closures on Sunday, July 7, 2019.

Barriers were placed at the intersections of Highway 50 and both Sawmill and North Upper Truckee roads in an attempt to keep westbound holiday traffic out of the neighborhoods and on the highway. In addition, they were also evaluating the traffic backup on both roads and the routing of traffic by directional apps like Waze and Google.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following are the call logs for the South Lake Tahoe Police Department May 22-28, 2019. Officers have seen a large influx of transient/homeless calls, burglary, theft, and location checks in the city hot spots. Some of the "regular" transients have returned to the basin for the summer, creating some additional illegal camping warnings, trespass arrests and warnings, and public intoxication calls.

5/22

ARRESTS:
41-year-old male arrested for felony domestic violence and on a warrant out of Santa Clara County for failure to appear.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A powerful “atmospheric river” storm is starting to make its presence known with heavy rain, high winds and snow throughout much of California and into the Sierra.

Initial forecasts had just rain at lake level Wednesday, but it is snowing as of 8:30 a.m.

Wednesday and Thursday: Heavy high elevation snow and damaging winds are expected. Rainfall amounts are expected to be between one and two inches in South Lake Tahoe on Wednesday. Expect chain controls on mountain passes. Winter Storm Warning in place until 10:00 p.m. Thursday.

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - Deputies from the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDSO) and Search and Rescue volunteers responded to a call on Sunday, January 6 about overdue backpackers in the El Dorado National Forest, just as severe winter weather hit the region.

Family members provided deputies with the backpacker's travel plan and a map of their planned route.

Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) is in emergency mode in extreme fire-risk areas in Butte, Sierra, Placer, Nevada, El Dorado, Amador, Plumas, Calaveras and Yuba counties due to Red Flag warnings by the National Weather Service. These shutoffs will affect about 70,000 customers.

South Lake Tahoe is served by Liberty Utilities and not part of the utility company's plan to start proactively shutting off power for safety as early as 5 p.m. Sunday and continuing through the evening.

There are extreme fire danger warnings up for Lake Tahoe, the Sierra Nevada and Western Nevada starting on Tuesday, September 11 at 1:00 p.m.

The Lake Wind Advisory will run until 9:00 p.m. Tuesday. Winds will be from the Southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 35 mph. Wave heights will be from one to three feet with highest waves from mid-lake to east shores. Small boats, kayaks and paddle boards will be prone to capsizing and should remain off lake waters until conditions
improve.

There ought to be a compromise letting city homeowners rent out their houses to vacationers, but the topic is controversial. The city once felt residents should know what was permissible in their neighborhoods and maintained an online database listing. This has been removed. Maybe residents shouldn't know about rentals allowing 22 guests?

Location

Strong, gusty winds return to Lake Tahoe and Northern Nevada, with a Lake Wind Advisory in effect most of the day Saturday from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Dry grass and gusty winds will create dangerous conditions for wildfire should a spark set them off....use care when outdoors as the fuels are ready.

Those heading out on Lake Tahoe and other area lakes need to be aware of hazardous boating conditions starting Friday, then going through Saturday. Remember to wear your personal flotation device at all times.

There are several warnings in place for South Lake Tahoe:

Avalanche Watch - The Sierra Avalanche Center in Truckee has issued a backcountry avalanche watch for the Greater Lake Tahoe Area from 5:00 p.m. Wednesday to 7:00 a.m. Friday between Yuba Pass at the north and Ebbetts Pass to the south.

The blizzard warnings in the Lake Tahoe basin have prompted school officials to close schools, or in the case of Douglas County, put them on late start.

Lake Tahoe Unified School District is on a Snow Day. All Schools Will be CLOSED today due to the Blizzard Warning issued by the National Weather Service.

Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Deputies participating in a Nevada Department of Public Safety Joining Forces Distracted Driving prevention campaign this month cited more than 80 drivers for speeding and 43 drivers for cell phone use.

Joining Forces is a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement program that promotes statewide enforcement in the areas of: DUI, distracted driving, seat belt, and speed and pedestrian safety. The goal of these enforcement campaigns is to save lives by increasing public awareness about the dangers of making poor choices while driving.