U.S. Forest Service fuels management crews will conduct prescribed fire operations on the East Shore of Lake Tahoe near Secret Harbor tomorrow, December 12, 2012. The project is approximately 50 acres and consists of piles of vegetation and woody materials remaining after fuels reduction efforts aimed at reducing wildfire risk to the community. Operations will continue as weather and conditions allow.
Because of the project size, Lake Tahoe residents and visitors may see a significant amount of smoke rising from the project area. Smoke will be visible on Hwy. 28. Forest Service prescribed fire managers expect good dispersion of smoke based on predicted weather. The Forest Service strives to minimize the impacts of smoke on local communities. Smoke-sensitive residents should consider staying indoors and keeping doors, windows and outside vents closed. To directly receive prescribed fire updates, send an email to [email protected].
Forest Service staff will post road signs around areas affected by prescribed fire, and update the local fire information line at (530) 543-2600, #6. Other federal, state and local fire management agencies may also be conducting prescribed fire work during this period.
For more information, visit our website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/ltbmu. To learn more about the efforts to reduce catastrophic wildfire risks in the Tahoe Basin read the Lake Tahoe Basin Multi-jurisdictional Fuel Reduction Plan found at http://fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsm9_045864.pdf.
Take a few moments to visit an excellent web site and learn about Prescribed Fire vs. Wildfire at: http://www.smokeybear.com/prescribed-fires.asp.
