Federal money to help reduce Tahoe’s fire risk
The latest round of funding through the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act includes more than $3 million for projects to help reduce wildfire risk in Lake Tahoe communities.
Projects include:
- U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit: $1.094 million to reduce hazardous fuels on 2,300 acres between Crystal Bay and Incline Village, south to Spooner Summit and Zephyr Cove, and another $470,000 to prepare a plan to remove hazardous fuels from urban lots it manages.
- Lake Valley Fire Protection District: $290,490 to reduce hazardous fuels on 93 acres in its service area.
- Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District: $308,760 to reduce hazardous fuels on up to 100 acres around Kingsbury Grade communities so firefighters can more safely protect life, property, and the environment in the event of a wildland fire.
- Nevada: $120,500 to reduce hazardous fuels on approximately 70 acres of urban lots and open space in communities on the East Shore.
- California State Parks: $261,940 to reduce hazardous fuels on 107 acres and restore and improve forest and watershed resources at D.L. Bliss State Park.
- North Tahoe and Meeks Bay fire protection districts: $450,000 to reduce hazardous fuels on up to 514 acres of private and local government-owned land in Kings Beach, Tahoe Vista, Carnelian Bay, and Meeks Bay. The two fire protection districts will also host educational workshops with local students and community members about the importance of fuel reduction projects and creating fire adapted communities.
- North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District: $200,000 to reduce hazardous fuels on up to 544 acres of local government owned land in Incline Village. The fire protection district will also host educational workshops for community members to learn more about the importance of fuel reduction projects and creating fire adapted communities.
Over 3000 DOLLARS PER ACRE to “reduce hazardous fuels” at some of these locations. Wow. The Forest Service can buy a lot of matches with that kind of money.
We can expect more of what has been done at Fallen Leaf Lake, Camp Richardson and other beloved sites–the “prescription” rape of beautiful forests. Few people argue with needed thinning but many rail against the ugly landscape resulting from a formula applied with no concern for what a natural forest looks like. Too bad these funds did not come with a review of how they would be applied to the landscape we all love.
What happens to all the critters that live in these trees and scrub that are in the prescribed areas?
How many critters live in one 100 ft tall tree?
How many 100 ft tall trees are there (avg) in 3,000 acres of ‘our’ Tahoe trees?
Do they just burn up or do they pack and move to Kansas?
Excellent point, Robin. There is a family of bunnies living in our wood pile.
Read a research paper before shaping your opinions. Fuel reduction, of all types, increases biodiversity.
billy…there are several questions above only your opinion.
You say…Fuel reduction, of ALL types, increases biodiversity…so YOU? say……
Burn critters burn.
Everyone feels better now!
ooops…that should have been 100 acres of our Tahoe trees. Trying to keep the math simple.
Inadvertently ‘borrowed’ the $3,000.00 per acre figure from the article.
Still in shock from finding out just how much per acre the Forest Service charges to burn ALL those critters alive.
Recently, a family of bobcats was (partially) rescued from a burn pile. Wish the FS staff who light the piles could give the animals a chance to escape.
Sounds like some people would rather see houses burn than critters’ homes. Our forests have gotten overgrown because of past forestry fire management practices. We need sensible practices to control the risk to our community from wildfires.
Oh My gods!
Just imagine the gazillions of ants that might be forced to relocate under my sink!
The concept of renewed biodiversity may be a bit out of reach for those that watch tearjerker viral animal and pet videos.
“You say…Fuel reduction, of ALL types, increases biodiversity…so YOU? say……”
Numerous research papers informed my opinion.
Are you interested in reading any of them?
billy
Still researching the diversity and number of critters in one 100 ft tall pine tree.