RENO, Nev. (AP) - The U.S. Forest Service and its partners plan nearly a dozen prescribed fire operations around Lake Tahoe this week to help clear out underbrush that can fuel wildfires.
The service says smoke may be visible from the intentional burns, which are contingent on weather and other conditions.
It says winter’s cooler temperatures and precipitation often create ideal conditions for conducting the operations in the safest manner.
Two burns are planned near Incline Village and three near Glenbook on the lake’s east shore. Three are scheduled on the west shore near Sugar Pine State Park south of Tahoma, California and two on the south shore - one near Stateline and one on the edge of Emerald Bay west of South Lake Tahoe, California.
Understory burning is planned to remove excess vegetation in a controlled manner, along with burning slash piles.
The service is conducting the operations in conjunction with the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team, which includes representatives of Tahoe Basin fire agencies, CAL FIRE, the Nevada Division of Forestry, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and others.
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