2024 Prescribed Fires

Activity Update for 06/09-11/2024

June 6, 2024 - Pioneer Trail understory burn scheduled for June 9-11

In coordination with the Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team (TFFT), the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU), is scheduled to conduct an understory prescribed fire on approximately 46 acres near South Lake Tahoe beginning Sun., June 9, 2024, and continuing through Tue., June 11. The burn will take place only if conditions and weather are favorable and is located on the southeast side of Pioneer Trail between Susquehana Drive and Golden Bear Trail. For more details, view the prescribed fire map at Tahoe Living With Fire. Ignitions typically begin at 10 a.m. and smoke will be present. To reduce smoke impacts, view helpful smoke management tips and monitor air quality at AirNow.gov and Fire/Smoke Map. A Fire Information booth will be set up on Pioneer Trail Sunday and Monday with LTBMU Fire Prevention staff available to answer questions. Read More

Activity Update for 06/06-24/2024

June 4, 2024 - Forest Service to conduct understory burn near South Lake Tahoe

If conditions and weather are favorable, Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team (TFFT) member, the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU), is scheduled to conduct understory burning on approximately 46 acres off Pioneer Trail near South Lake Tahoe between June 9 and June 24, 2024. A Fire Information booth will be set up on Pioneer Trail near Jicarilla Drive during active burning and LTBMU Fire Prevention staff will be available to answer questions. Ignitions typically begin at 10 a.m. and smoke will be present. View smoke management tips and the current air quality index at AirNow, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Forest Service Fire and Smoke Map and the prescribed fire map with details at Tahoe Living With Fire. Read More

Activity Update for 04/29/2024

April 29, 2024 - Small scale prescribed fire operations continue at Lake Tahoe

If conditions and weather are favorable, Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team (TFFT) member, the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, may burn piles this week at Lake Tahoe. Smoke will be present. View smoke management tips and the current air quality index at AirNow, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Forest Service Fire and Smoke Map and the prescribed fire map with details at Tahoe Living With Fire. To be added to the prescribed fire notification list, send us an email. Read More

Activity Update for 04/22/2024

April 22, 2024 - Spring prescribed fire operations continue this week at Lake Tahoe

Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team (TFFT) members, Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District and the USDA Forest Service, may burn piles this week at Lake Tahoe if conditions and weather are favorable. Smoke will be present. View smoke management tips and the current air quality index at AirNow, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Forest Service Fire and Smoke Map and the prescribed fire map with details at Tahoe Living With Fire. To be added to the prescribed fire notification list, send us an email. Read More

Activity Update for 04/15/2024

April 15, 2024 - Lake Tahoe spring prescribed fire operations continue

Conditions and weather permitting, Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team (TFFT) members, Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District and the USDA Forest Service, may burn piles this week at Lake Tahoe. Smoke will be present. View smoke management tips and the current air quality index at AirNow, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Forest Service Fire and Smoke Map and the prescribed fire map with details at Tahoe Living With Fire. To be added to the prescribed fire notification list, send us an email. Read More

Activity Update for 04/08/2024

April 8, 2024 - Spring prescribed fire operations continue at Lake Tahoe
Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team (TFFT) members, Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District and the USDA Forest Service may burn piles this week, conditions and weather permitting. Smoke will be present. View smoke management tips and the current air quality index at AirNow, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Forest Service Fire and Smoke Map and the prescribed fire map with details at Tahoe Living With Fire. To be added to the prescribed fire notification list, send us an email. Read More

Activity Update for 04/01/2024

April 1, 2024 - Lake Tahoe small-scale prescribed fire operations continue
Conditions and weather permitting, Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team (TFFT) member, Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District, will continue burning piles on Lake Tahoe’s eastern shore this week. Smoke will be present. View smoke management tips and the current air quality index at AirNow, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Forest Service Fire and Smoke Map and the prescribed fire map with details at Tahoe Living With Fire. To be added to the prescribed fire notification list, send us an email. Read More

Activity Update for 03/25/2024

March 25, 2024 - Small-scale prescribed fire operations continue at Lake Tahoe
Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team (TFFT) members, the Nevada Division of Forestry and Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District, will resume burning piles on the East Shore this week, conditions and weather permitting. Smoke will be present. View smoke management tips and the current air quality index at AirNow, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Forest Service Fire and Smoke Map and the prescribed fire map with details at Tahoe Living With Fire. To be added to the prescribed fire notification list, send us an email. Read More

Activity Update for 03/18/2024

March 18, 2024 - Small-scale prescribed fire operations continue at Lake Tahoe
Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team (TFFT) members, the Nevada Division of Forestry and Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District, will resume burning piles on the East Shore this week, conditions and weather permitting. Smoke will be present. View smoke management tips and the current air quality index at AirNow, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Forest Service Fire and Smoke Map and the prescribed fire map with details at Tahoe Living With Fire. To be added to the prescribed fire notification list, send us an email. Read More

Activity Update for 03/11/2024

March 11, 2024 - Small-scale prescribed fire operations resume at Lake Tahoe
Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team (TFFT) member, the Nevada Division of Forestry, will resume burning piles at Spooner Lake this week, conditions and weather permitting. Smoke will be present. View smoke management tips and the current air quality index at AirNow, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Forest Service Fire and Smoke Map and the prescribed fire map with details at Tahoe Living With Fire. To be added to the prescribed fire notification list, send us an email. Read More

Activity Update for 02/26/2024

Feb. 26, 2024 - Limited prescribed fire operations to continue at Lake Tahoe
The Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team (TFFT) including Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District and the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, will conduct prescribed fire operations this week at Lake Tahoe, conditions and weather permitting. Smoke will be present. View smoke management tips and the current air quality index at AirNow and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Forest Service Fire and Smoke Map. View the prescribed fire map with project details and locations at Tahoe Living With Fire. To be added to the prescribed fire notification list, send us an email. Read More

Activity Update for 02/20/2024

Feb. 20, 2024 - Prescribed fire operations continue this week at Lake Tahoe
The Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team (TFFT) including Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District and the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, will conduct prescribed fire operations this week at Lake Tahoe, conditions and weather permitting. Smoke will be present. View smoke management tips and the current air quality index at AirNow and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Forest Service Fire and Smoke Map. View the prescribed fire map with project details and locations at Tahoe Living With Fire. To be added to the prescribed fire notification list, send us an email. Read More

Activity Update for 02/12/2024

Feb. 12, 2024 - Lake Tahoe prescribed fire operations continue this week
The Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team (TFFT) including North Tahoe and Tahoe Douglas fire protection districts, California Tahoe Conservancy, Nevada Division of Forestry, and the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, will conduct prescribed fire operations this week at Lake Tahoe as conditions and weather allow. Smoke will be present. View smoke management tips and the current air quality index at AirNow and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Forest Service Fire and Smoke Map. View the prescribed fire map with project details and locations at Tahoe Living With Fire. To be added to the prescribed fire notification list, send us an email. Read More

Activity Update for 02/05/2024

Feb. 5, 2024 - Prescribed fire operations continue at Lake Tahoe
The Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team (TFFT) including Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District and the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, will conduct small-scale prescribed burning this week at Lake Tahoe as conditions and weather allow. Smoke may be present. View smoke management tips and the current air quality index at AirNow and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Forest Service Fire and Smoke Map. View the prescribed fire map with project details and locations at Tahoe Living With Fire. To be added to the prescribed fire notification list, send us an email. Read More

Activity Update for 01/29/2024

Jan. 29, 2024 - Prescribed fire operations continue at Lake Tahoe
The Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team (TFFT) including North Tahoe and Tahoe Douglas fire protection districts, California State Parks, Nevada Division of Forestry and the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, will continue burning this week at Lake Tahoe, conditions and weather permitting. Smoke may be present throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin and surrounding areas. View smoke management tips and the current air quality index at AirNow and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Forest Service Fire and Smoke Map. View the prescribed fire map with project details and locations at Tahoe Living With Fire. To be added to the prescribed fire notification list, send us an email. Read More

Activity Update for 01/22/2024

Jan. 22, 2024 - Lake Tahoe widespread prescribed fire operations to continue
The Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team (TFFT) including North Lake Tahoe, North Tahoe and Tahoe Douglas fire protection districts, California State Parks and the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, will continue prescribed fire operations this week at Lake Tahoe, conditions and weather permitting. Smoke may be present throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin and surrounding areas. View smoke management tips and the current air quality index at AirNow and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Forest Service Fire and Smoke Map. View the prescribed fire map with project details and locations at Tahoe Living With Fire. To be added to the prescribed fire notification list, send us an email. Read More

Activity Update for 01/16/2024

Jan. 16, 2024 - Lake Tahoe prescribed fire operations continue this week
Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team (TFFT) members including North Lake Tahoe, North Tahoe and Tahoe Douglas fire protection districts, California State Parks, Nevada Division of Forestry, and the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, will continue prescribed fire operations this week at Lake Tahoe, conditions and weather permitting. Smoke may be present throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin and surrounding areas. View smoke management tips and the current air quality index at AirNow and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Forest Service Fire and Smoke Map. View the prescribed fire map with project details and locations at Tahoe Living With Fire. To be added to the prescribed fire notification list, send us an email. Read More

Activity Update for 01/08/2024

Jan. 8, 2024 - Lake Tahoe prescribed fire operations continue this week
The Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team (TFFT) including North Lake Tahoe, North Tahoe and Tahoe Douglas fire protection districts, California State Parks, Nevada Division of Forestry and the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, will continue burning slash piles this week at Lake Tahoe, conditions and weather permitting. Smoke from these operations may be present throughout the Tahoe Basin and surrounding areas. View smoke management tips and the current air quality index at AirNow and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Forest Service Fire and Smoke Map. View the prescribed fire map with project details and locations at Tahoe Living With Fire. To be added to the prescribed fire notification list, send us an email. Read More

Activity Update for 01/02/2024

Jan. 2, 2024 - Prescribed fire operations resume this week at Lake Tahoe
The Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team (TFFT) including North Lake Tahoe and North Tahoe fire protection districts, will resume prescribed burning this week at Lake Tahoe, conditions and weather permitting. Smoke from these operations may be present throughout the Tahoe Basin and surrounding areas. View smoke management tips and the current air quality index at AirNow and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Forest Service Fire and Smoke Map. View the prescribed fire map with project details and locations at Tahoe Living With Fire. To be added to the prescribed fire notification list, send us an email. Read More

Please note: Planned burns are subject to change without notice due to weather conditions and smoke impact to communities.

Prescribed Fire Information and Smoke Management Tips

Historically, low-intensity wildfires ignited by lightning or native peoples routinely burned through fire-adapted ecosystems of the Sierra Nevada. These low-intensity fires burned at low temperatures and moved slowly across the ground removing forest debris such as pinecones, needles, limbs, dead and downed trees, and ladder fuels. Watch the Forest Service video for an in-depth explanation of low-intensity fire. Prescribed fires are meant to mimic these naturally occurring low-intensity fires that are essential to fire-adapted ecosystems.

Prescribed fire managers use different methods to remove excess vegetation (fuels) and reintroduce low-intensity fire into forests through pile, broadcast, and understory burning. Pile burning involves burning slash piles that are constructed by hand or mechanical equipment. Broadcast and understory burning use low-intensity fire to remove fuels under specific environmental conditions with fire confined to a predetermined area.

Prescribed fires are a vital forest management tool used by land managers to help protect communities by removing fuels that can feed unwanted wildland fires. Burning excess vegetation also benefits forest health by making room for new growth which provides forage for wildlife, recycles nutrients back into the soil and helps reduce the spread of insects and disease.

Prescribed fires may take place any time of year when conditions are favorable. Fall and winter typically bring cooler temperatures and precipitation, which are ideal for conducting prescribed fire operations. Each operation follows a specialized burn plan, which considers smoke dispersal conditions, temperature, humidity, wind, and vegetation moisture. All of this information is used to decide when and where to burn.

The TFFT strongly supports the use of prescribed fire under appropriate conditions and works closely with air quality districts to avert smoke impacts on the public. Smoke from prescribed fires is normal and may continue for several days after an ignition depending on the project size, conditions, and weather. Prescribed fire smoke is generally less intense and of much shorter duration than smoke produced by unwanted wildfires. View smoke management tips.

Prior to prescribed fire ignitions, agencies coordinate closely with local and state air quality agencies to monitor weather for favorable conditions that can disperse smoke, conduct test burns before igniting larger areas to verify how well vegetation is consumed and how smoke rises and disperses before proceeding, post signs on roadways in areas affected by prescribed fire operations, email notifications to the prescribed fire notification list, and update the local fire information line at 530-543-2816. The TFFT gives as much advance notice as possible before burning, but some operations may be conducted on short notice due to the small window of opportunity for implementing these projects.

To be added to the prescribed fire notification list, send us an email. Learn more about living in fire-adapted ecosystems at Tahoe Living With Fire and get prepared, get informed, and get involved!