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Forest Service: Lake Tahoe wildfire potential expected to be above average by summer

What began as a very dry winter in the Lake Tahoe Basin ended with Sierra snowpack approximately 85 percent of normal, thanks to heavy precipitation received during the month of March. However, both the National Interagency Fire Center and the Reno National Weather Service expect a warming trend to develop that will lead to drier than normal conditions by late spring.

As a result, the below average snowpack is expected to melt faster, grasses and other vegetation are expected to dry out earlier and wildland fire activity is likely to increase to above average by mid-summer.

“Although we received a great deal of precipitation during the month of March, we are on track for an above average potential for significant wildfire activity this summer.” said U.S. Forest Service Fire Management Officer, Steve Burns. “It’s important to keep in mind that in the U.S., year-round fire seasons have become the new normal, which means for people living in fire-prone areas like the Tahoe Basin, wildfire preparedness is essential.”

Across the U.S., nearly nine out of 10 wildfires are human-caused with illegal and unattended campfires being the biggest source of human-caused wildfires. In 2007, an illegal, abandoned campfire was the cause of the Angora Fire, which burned more than 250 homes, 231 acres of private property and 3,072 acres of National Forest land near South Lake Tahoe.

The public can help the Forest Service and other fire agencies prevent these human-caused ignitions by learning where and when campfires are allowed and making sure campfires are completely extinguished using the Soak, Stir and Feel method before leaving.

On National Forest land in the Tahoe Basin, campfires are only allowed in designated campgrounds and never on the beach, in Desolation Wilderness or in the general forest. Go here and here for more information about campfire safety.

The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team, which consists of the Forest Service and other state and local partners, has thinned and removed excess vegetation on more than 70,000 acres of National Forest and other lands around communities in the Tahoe Basin to reduce the threat of severe wildfire.

Forest thinning projects, also known as fuels reduction projects, are a top priority for the Forest Service and the TFFT and will continue to be implemented each year in the Tahoe Basin. In order to complement Forest Service and TFFT fuels reduction projects, there are important steps residents and communities must take to improve defensible space and community wildfire preparedness at Lake Tahoe.

Springtime in the Sierra is the perfect time to complete defensible space clean up around homes, review evacuation plans, sign-up for reverse 911 with cities and/or counties, contact local fire districts to schedule free defensible space evaluations, learn about free chipping services and talk to neighbors about the importance of wildfire preparedness.

The time to prepare for the next wildland fire is now. Permanent residents, second-home owners and vacation home owners/renters should familiarize themselves with and follow advice found at http://tahoe.livingwithfire.info/ and/or https://www.ready.gov/wildfires on how to prepare their homes and neighborhoods for the next wildfire. Remember it’s not a matter of “if” the next wildfire will occur, it’s a matter of “when.”

Another step toward wildfire preparedness is to sign-up for the Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities (TNFAC) newsletter. TNFAC provides community members with education, communication and advice; facilitates collaboration between communities and stakeholders; helps communities organize events and neighborhood-level vegetation removal projects and tracks community accomplishments. For more information about the TNFAC program, contact Carlie Teague at 530-543-1501, ext. 114 or email cteague@tahoercd.org.

Visit www.nifc.gov for more information on the 2018 Wildland Fire Outlook.

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Carson City is now accepting Letters of Intent for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) projects taking place July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025.

The City is specifically seeking projects correlating with the City’s FY 2023-2028 Consolidated Plan, approved on August 3, 2023.

Ricardo Serrano Perez was sentenced to 20 years in the Nevada Department of Corrections with minimum parole eligibility of 8 years. Perez was sentenced pursuant to a guilty plea agreement whereby the parties stipulated to the maximum sentence.

Carson High Speech and Debate will be hosting the inaugural Carson High Show and Shine car show Saturday May 25th in the north parking lot of CHS from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Anyone with a classic or cool car can enter their vehicle in the event for $25.

Awards will be given for the top 10 entrees. See the attached flyer or you can register day of. Anyone can come check out the cars free of charge.

There will be raffle prizes, face painting for the kids, and food trucks on site.

Donna Inversin, President of The Historic Virginia & Truckee Trail, will speak on the nonprofit's effort to find those remaining sections of old rail bed routes and stitch them together to build a multi-use path of between 60 and 80 miles that will be an echo of the Virginia & Truckee Railroad for the benefit and enjoyment of the citizens and visitors of Northern Nevada.

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division is seeking information from the public to identify a suspect in a vehicle burglary investigation.

Carson City Parks, Recreation and Open Space is introducing the capital city's first Trails Challenge in hopes of turning it into an annual outdoor adventure.

Carson Water Subconservancy District will host its two-day “Get on the Bus!” tour of the Carson River Watershed June 11-12 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Expert guides will cover topics ranging from water rights, river-restoration projects, and water quality and quantity to floodplain management, regenerative agriculture, and more.

Stuff a cop car with food on May 18

A “Stuff the Cop Car With Food” event will be held at Smith’s Food Food and Drug parking lot in Dayton on Saturday, May 18, 2024 from 10am until 3pm.

A 63-year-old housekeeper was arrested Thursday for 14 counts of credit card fraud and other offenses after allegedly stealing a credit card belonging to an 86-year-old patient who family members said was being treated for a stroke at a local care facility, according to a Carson City Sheriff's Office detective.

Marie Finkes is the director of FitzHenry’s Funeral Home in Carson City, and said that over the past year, there have been 12 bodies under her care that have been subject to extended stays. This is due to the fact that Carson City Public Administrator Scott Hoen has ignored their repeated requests for an electronic signature releasing the body for cremation.

Have you ever wanted to learn the old art of Blacksmithing? Early smiths made wagon parts, handmade tools, shaped ornamental pieces, horseshoes, hinges and just about anything to having to do with working metal into a desired shape or purpose.

Some of our fellow residents enjoying their home on a perfect spring day in Washoe Valley.

Carson City Shorts presents the first-ever Moon Rocks Sci-Fi Short Film Competition, inviting filmmakers from near and far to embark on an interstellar journey of storytelling and imagination. Presented by Silver State Storytellers, this competition challenges participants to create compelling sci-fi short films that push the boundaries of creativity and transport audiences to distant galaxies.

Pioneer Academy in Carson City celebrated their outstanding students at a combined National Honor Society Induction and awards ceremony Thursday, April 25, 2024. Thirty-eight students received awards for attendance, scholarship and excellence in the classroom.

The Virginia Truckee Railroad begins its 49th season on May 25, 2024, with an exciting schedule of both steam and diesel locomotives. The scenic train ride departs daily from the original Virginia City depot where millionaires and miners sought their fortunes 150 years ago.

Carson City School Trustees heard an update regarding the proposed absorption of Pioneer Academy under Carson High School.

Tux: the official Linux mascot

Curious about Linux? Long time user? Join us for the March meeting of the Carson City Linux Users Group. We meet on the third Saturday of each month, and have great information and discussions of interest to any level of experience with Linux.

Sierra Nevada Realtors this week released its April 2024 report on existing home sales in Carson City, Lyon, Douglas, Storey, Washoe and Churchill counties. This report includes the median sales price and number of home sales in the region. SNR obtains its information from the Northern Nevada Regional Multiple Listing Service.

On May 15th, 2024, shortly after midnight, deputies with the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence located on the 600 block of Angela Street in Fernley, Nev., reference a caller who reported that he had murdered his mother. The caller additionally provided that he barricaded himself inside the house, was armed with a rifle, and had planted pipe bombs at the residence.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and as part of that, Partnership Carson City (PCC) and OSP Northern Nevada are holding a workshop focused on suicide prevention training.

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You are invited to join Mrs. Eilley Bowers at Bowers Mansion for the Spring Living History Day. The mansion will be open to visitors for self guided tours featuring local living interpreters who will be sharing demonstrations of life during the 19th century. Also featured will be a historical talk about the mansion at the top of the hour.

Caught this beautiful perspective on Mothers Day.

Meet Matrix, Nevada Humane Society, Carson City branch Pet of the Week. Matrix, is a delightful 3-year-old pit mix girl who came into our care at the end of April. From the moment she arrived, it was clear she has an incredible affinity for people. Her warm, affectionate nature quickly endears her to everyone she encounters.

The Carson City School District took time at the School Board meeting Tuesday night to recognize 22 individuals with the “Distinguished Student Award.” The student winners were selected by administrators and recognized from their respective schools as having specific qualities, skills and characteristics that distinguished them.

Carson City Sheriff’s Office investigators are asking the public for help in identifying a vehicle and suspect linked to the theft of a catalytic converter earlier this year.

Join the Senator Youth Football Camp for K-8th graders. $80 covers 3-nights of camp from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., June 17, 18, and 19. Led by the CHS high school coaches and players, children will learn techniques for all positions, play games, and compete.

Carson High School Wrestling invites you to our annual Golf Tournament on June 15th, 2024, at Silver Oak Golf Course in Carson City. This event is crucial for our program's success as it serves as our main fundraiser.

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In April Carson City Moose Lodge #2709 selected its officers for 2024. Jeff Williams is the new President, Rosemarie Menapace, Vice President, David Wroth, Sgt of Arms, Ron Rehn, Chaplain, Nathan Rakestraw, Treasurer, Allen Gosselin, Secretary.

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