forest health

The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit will begin selling Christmas tree permits online beginning Monday, Nov. 16.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board on Wednesday approved key updates to forest management ordinances that will streamline large-scale fuel reduction projects and continue reducing the threat of catastrophic wildfire in the Tahoe Basin.

CARSON CITY — 2018 was an exciting year for the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. As we put 2018 in the rear-view mirror, we’d like to celebrate some of our more notable highlights from the past year, and share a glimpse into what’s in store for 2019.

With dense vegetation spanning over 300 acres, the iconic Spooner Lake portion of Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park is increasingly susceptible to environmental disturbances threatening the health of the Tahoe Basin. State officials from forestry, parks and lands announced Thursday the closure of the Spooner Lake portion of Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park from Sept. 12 to Nov. 16 to address forest health issues.

Nearly 25 years ago, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and dozens of partners embarked on an unprecedented mission to conserve and restore the Lake Tahoe Basin’s treasured natural resources through the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program.

CARSON CITY — John Christopherson has been named Deputy Administrator of Operations for the Nevada Division of Forestry, the state's forester and fire warden announced Thursday.


Each year on Earth Day, April 22, more than 1 billion people in 192 countries join together to celebrate and protect our common home. From participating in community clean-up events, to reaching out to local leaders about environmental concerns, and spending time appreciating the outdoors, Earth Day serves as an annual opportunity to promote environmental stewardship across the globe.

Members of the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team, which includes local, state and federal agencies, will resume prescribed fire operations this week in multiple locations around the Lake Tahoe Basin.

The Carson City Fire Department will start prescribed fire operations the week of Monday, Feb. 26 and continue as weather conditions allow. Smoke may be visible from anywhere in the city.

The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team, which includes local, state and federal agencies continue to carry out prescribed fire operations this week in multiple locations around Lake Tahoe, weather and conditions permitting. Smoke may be present.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team, which includes local, state and federal agencies, will continue prescribed fire operations this week in multiple locations around Lake Tahoe, weather permitting.

The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team, which includes local, state and federal agencies, may continue prescribed fire operations this week in multiple locations around Lake Tahoe, weather permitting. Smoke may be present.

Weather permitting, the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team may conduct prescribed fire operations this week on the north end of Lake Tahoe. Smoke may be present.

The rural mountain lifestyle we all enjoy at Lake Tahoe is not isolated from the major urban areas nearby. On a typical holiday weekend, the Tahoe Basin turns into a recreation thoroughfare as tens of thousands of day and overnight visitors who sustain our local economy drive up from the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento and Reno.

The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team will continue prescribed fire operations over the next several weeks, weather permitting. Lake Valley, North Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Douglas fire protection districts, California State Parks, California Tahoe Conservancy and the U.S. Forest Service will conduct prescribed fire operations in multiple areas around Lake Tahoe.

After taking a break during the Thanksgiving holiday, the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team resume prescribed fire operations next week, beginning Monday, Nov. 27, 2017.

CARSON CITY – The Nevada Division of Forestry conducted trapping and aerial surveys this season, focusing on the white satin moth outbreak at Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park. The survey revealed 226 acres of infestation, ranging from minimal to heavy defoliation.

Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park will take applications for firewood permits this week, Sept. 18-22 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Nevada Division of Forestry has issued a Forest Pest Alert for the white satin moth. The non-native insect is causing medium to heavy defoliation in the North Canyon and Marlette Lake areas at Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park.

Four years ago this month, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency approved the 2012 Regional Plan. The landmark plan charts a course to restore Lake Tahoe’s environment and revitalize our communities and it was forged through Herculean work by California, Nevada, local governments, the public, and dozens of other partners.

Late Friday night, the U.S. House of Representatives joined the U.S. Senate in passing the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act of 2016, which will bring $415 million in future funding to Lake Tahoe over the next seven years. The decision brought cheers from many local agencies, including the League to Save lake Tahoe and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.

The House and Senate have agreed to include the bipartisan Lake Tahoe Restoration Act in the final bicameral Water Resources Development Act, titled the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, Nevada Sen. Dean Heller announced Monday.

I’m writing this before Thanksgiving and stores have been decorated for the holidays with their red, green, silver, gold and white HO HO HO wares for weeks now. Christmas is only a month away and Hanukkah begins December 24.

The Lake Tahoe Basin saw continued environmental improvement over the last four years, but faces major challenges from climate change, according to a draft 2015 Threshold Evaluation Report released by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.

The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act as part of the Water Resources Development Act of 2016. The bipartisan legislation provides federal, state and local partners important tools to reduce wildfire threats, improve water clarity, jumpstart innovative infrastructure projects, and combat invasive species.

President Barack Obama was cheered enthusiastically Wednesday at the 20th Lake Tahoe Summit, an annual gathering of federal and state leaders from California and Nevada who are dedicated to protecting the Sierra's crown jewel.

"I've never been here," President Obama told the crowd Wednesday at Harvey's Outdoor Arena in Stateline. "Its not that I didn't want to come, but nobody invited me."

The President quipped he's sure to return, "though my transportation won't be as nice."

Veteran community advocate Steve Teshara has accepted the position of Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce. Chamber Board Chair Mike McLaughlin announced the Board’s appointment of Teshara in a statement released July 21.

June is wildfire awareness month at Lake Tahoe. And nine years later, the 2007 Angora Fire remains a vivid remember that wildfire is one of the greatest threats facing our environment, our homes, and our businesses. We must prepare accordingly.

At Lake Tahoe, we know our natural resources are one of our most valuable assets, and that’s why we have worked for decades to conserve and restore them. The natural wonders of the Jewel of the Sierra and the opportunities they afford are why we live here, and why millions of visitors travel here to enjoy the Tahoe Basin each year.

The latest round of funding through the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act includes more than $3 million for projects to help reduce wildfire risk in Lake Tahoe communities.