‘Continuation of Limited Prescribed Fires at Lake Tahoe Pending Conditions and Weather’

The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team, along with the Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District and the Nevada Division of Forestry, will be conducting prescribed fire operations this week in Lake Tahoe, weather and conditions permitting. This vital forest management tool is used to protect communities by removing fuels that can feed unwanted wildland fires.

Prescribed fires also benefit forest health by creating space for new growth, providing forage for wildlife, recycling nutrients back into the soil, and reducing the spread of insects and disease. Different methods, such as pile, broadcast, and understory burning, are used to remove excess vegetation and reintroduce low-intensity fire into the forests.

These prescribed fires aim to mimic the historically occurring low-intensity fires that are essential to fire-adapted ecosystems. They may take place at any time of year when conditions are favorable, with winter being an ideal time due to cooler temperatures and precipitation.

The TFFT emphasizes the importance of working closely with air quality districts to minimize smoke impacts on the public. Smoke from prescribed fires is normal and may linger for several days after ignition, but it is generally less intense and of shorter duration compared to smoke from wildfires.

Before conducting prescribed fire ignitions, agencies coordinate with local and state air quality agencies, conduct test burns, post signs in affected areas, notify the public through email alerts, and update the local fire information line. It is essential for residents to stay informed and prepared for these prescribed fire operations.

To learn more about living in fire-adapted ecosystems and how to get involved, visit Tahoe Living With Fire. Get informed, get prepared, and stay involved in supporting the health and safety of our forests and communities.