forest

Ray Johnson, Fire Prevention Technician on Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest’s Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, was recently awarded the 2017 Bronze Smokey Bear Award. Johnson received this award for the work accomplished during his 24-year career educating the public about the dangers, causes, and prevention measures associated with wildland fire.

As the weather warms up, people begin to daydream about the ideal summer. Phrases like “best summer ever” and “#Summer2k17” get thrown around. To ensure those dreams live up to expectations, Nevada has put together a summer bucket list for adventurers, explorers and travelers of all types.

A first step in what will be a multi-year Nevada Department of Transportation process began Wednesday at Zephyr Cove in Lake Tahoe. The subject: NDOT's plans for the stretch of Highway 50 from Stateline to Spooner Summit.

With bears emerging from their winter dens, federal, state and local agencies around Lake Tahoe are urging outdoor enthusiasts to practice proper food storage and trash disposal as seasons transition into summer.

During occasional heavy rainstorms, such as the ones that hit western Nevada this winter, stormwater can cause erosion on residential properties. University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, in partnership with GreenACTnv, will offer a free presentation in Gardnerville on how to prepare landscapes to reduce erosion hazards and increase the potential for storm runoff to soak into soils.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Here's some important information for residents and visitors to keep in mind this Memorial Day weekend at Lake Tahoe. Warm temperatures have accelerated melting of our tremendous snowpack, streams and rivers will be cold, swift and high.

With a record mountain snowpack changing to a robust, above normal, significant fire potential, wildland firefighting agencies are gearing up for another fire season and the University of Nevada, Reno is ramping up its AlertTahoe HD/4K fire camera system, which overlooks and helps protect dozens of western mountain ranges and hundreds of square miles of Nevada’s Great Basin.

It is time to gather up the family and gear and head to your favorite recreation spot. Memorial Day weekend is the kick off for the summer, and traditionally it is a very busy weekend on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Forest visitors can enjoy biking, camping, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, picnicking and many more recreations activities this summer.

Beginning Monday, Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District, California State Parks, and the U.S. Forest Service may continue prescribed fire operations. If conditions are favorable, operations may take place near Sugar Pine Point, Glenbrook, Lower Kingsbury Grade, Ski Run Boulevard, Fallen Leaf Lake and Meyers.

Here is the Carson City and Lake Tahoe area road report for the week of May 22-28, 2017. Closures are expected at the following locations due to road and utility work. Please follow detours.

CARSON CITY — A new website, OffRoadNevada.org, offers information about registering off-highway vehicles, which is required in Nevada, and the benefits of registration. The website also provides motorized trail maps and information about the Nevada Commission on Off-Highway Vehicles’ grant program, which funds off-highway vehicle related projects.

The Silver Rush, a new 4,159-foot long zip line opening this summer at Heavenly's Epic Discovery, will take users from tree-to-tree at speeds up to 40 miles per hour. Overlooking the Carson Valley, Silver Rush is comprised of five segmented zip lines; the final of which flies guests over the waters of East Peak Lake.

Weather permitting, North Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Douglas fire protection districts, California State Parks, California Tahoe Conservancy, and the U.S. Forest Service may continue prescribed fire operations next week beginning May 15, 2017.

As part of a Carson Ranger District Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project, sheep will be released on U.S. Forest Service lands to reduce hazardous fuels by removing cheetgrass and other non-native vegetation.

It is beautiful outside, the sun is shining, and all of nature is demonstrating its beauty through its natural and exquisite display.

The wind blows, and the trees dance. Cats and dogs run to and fro playing with one another, at least most of the time. Wild animals, though difficult to see at times, are moving about through the forest in search of food. So what is the story here a reader will ask?

CHS students are taking advantage of the beautiful weather, and some of them are going too far with the natural.

Forest Service campgrounds in the Lake Tahoe Basin are scheduled to open May 12, 2017. However, campgrounds on the West Shore still have a large amount of snow at lake level, which will delay their opening. Meeks Bay Campground will open on May 19, 2017, and Kaspian and William Kent campgrounds will open on June 2, 2017.

North Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Douglas fire protection districts, California State Parks, and the U.S. Forest Service may continue prescribed fire operations next week beginning May 1, 2017.

University of Nevada Cooperative Extension is once again coordinating the collaborative efforts of federal, state and local fire services, public safety agencies, community organizations and others to participate in Nevada Wildfire Awareness Month throughout May.

As we celebrate Earth Day this April, let’s remember how important environmental stewardship is to the health of Lake Tahoe, and how important our individual actions are.

The potential for smoky skies in the valleys and hills above Carson City may surface again next week with plans for prescribed fire operations throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin, the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team announced Friday.

The sixth annual Lake Tahoe Home and Garden Show will be held April 28-29, 2017 in the South Tahoe Middle School multipurpose room.

Space is being increased to allow more vendors from the region to participate in the only event of its type on the South Shore. A free children's planting area is also being added to the two day show that runs from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m on Friday, and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m on Saturday.

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit will soon begin opening recreational facilities in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Weather and snow conditions permitting, Inspiration Point will be the first site to open on April 15, 2017.

The Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District, California State Parks and the U.S. Forest Service may continue prescribed fire operations on Monday, April 10 if conditions are favorable.

Prescribed fire operations began this week around the Lake Tahoe Basin, sending smoke into the foothills around Spooner that is visible in Carson City.

What has become an out-of-control, unsightly and all too common practice at Lake Tahoe snow play areas now has a champion to control abandoned sleds.

The California Tahoe Conservancy, Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District, California State Parks and the U.S. Forest Service are planning on continuing prescribed fire operations on Monday, March 27, depending on conditions.

Many beautiful sunny days are ahead of us. I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of the rain and snow, but as the days get longer, it’s easier to be optimistic that spring is on its way. Take advantage of the weather with today’s Muscle Powered Easy Hike. Meet photographer Abe Blair at the Nevada State Museum tonight. Admission is free for the celebration of his exhibit, Beyond Nature’s Light. Head to Carson Cigar Company for a Sake Party with premium sake, raffle prizes, and something delicious to snack on.

THURSDAY:

Current snow conditions have provided excellent winter recreation opportunities for snowmobile enthusiasts on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest’s Bridgeport, Carson City, Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge, and Santa Rosa Ranger Districts. The Forest would like to remind snowmobile riders to safely enjoy the sport and respect area closures.

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – Spooner Lake State park offers a system of meandering cross-country ski trails that wind through dense forest, across an open meadow and along the banks of Spooner Lake. The trail system is free to the public and made possible by a partnership between Nevada State Parks and Nevada Nordic, a non-profit group based in the Tahoe Basin.

The Carson Ranger District on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is pleased to announce the return of the popular Forest Ranger-led snowshoe walks. The walks start this Saturday, Jan. 21, and will be offered every Saturday through March 18.