Pattern: Limit Size Of New Forest Openings
The indicator discourages the creation of large forest openings, such as clear cuts, while allowing for forest openings of up to eight acres to meet management goals such as regeneration of shade intolerant species (e.g., Jeffrey and sugar pine). Regulatory protections in the Code of Ordinances prescribe forestry operations to limit the size of new forest openings.
Caldor Fire on the evening of September 9, 2021. USDA Forest Service photo by Kaleena Lynde.
Evaluation Map
Tree mortality estimates from 2023 and the 2021 Caldor Fire perimeter.
2023 Evaluation
- Status
- Implemented
Applicable Standard
VP9: Pattern - Provide for the proper juxtaposition of vegetation communities and age classes by; 1. Limiting acreage size of new forest openings to no more than eight acres
Key Points
- The Caldor Fire in 2021 affected approximately 10,000 acres in the Lake Tahoe Basin, with 5,901 acres experiencing moderate to high vegetation burn severity.
- In 2023, an estimated 1.7 million trees, mainly white fir along the west shore, were lost within the Lake Tahoe Basin.
- The Region meets the management standard requirements.
- Policies and ordinances are established to preserve native vegetation, and a vegetation management restoration program is actively reducing unnaturally dense forests while enhancing fire resilience in Tahoe’s upland ecosystems.
About the Threshold
- Vegetation is integral to many scenic and recreational amenities in the Lake Tahoe Region. Vegetation also provides many functional roles related to water cleansing, soil stabilization, wildlife habitat, nutrient catchment and release, air purification, and noise control. The focus of vegetation preservation in the Region is to restore, protect and maintain these functions and contribute to other socioeconomic attributes. Specifically, this management standard discourages the creation of large forest openings, such as clear cuts, while providing tools to allow for forest openings of up to eight acres in size to meet specific management goals such as regeneration of shade intolerant species (e.g., Jeffery and sugar pine). It also encourages the perpetuation of a diversity of tree age classes, which is important for ensuring the sustainability of the Region’s forests.
- Prior to European settlement, low intensity fires burned every five to 18 years in lower elevation pine and mixed conifer forests in the Tahoe Region (Nagel and Taylor, A.H., 2005). As a result, these lower elevation forests in the Region typically had large, widely spaced conifers with a poorly developed shrub understory, in a mosaic pattern of different age classes from some higher-intensity, stand-replacing fires. Between 1875 and 1895, large-scale timber harvesting removed most of the large trees around Lake Tahoe (Lindstrom et al., 2000). Although the forest stands successfully regenerated, the past 100 years of fire suppression-focused forest management have resulted in a relatively homogenous landscape of similar-aged trees in denser stands than historic reference conditions. Urban development, grazing and more recent fuel reduction treatments continue to shape the distribution and health of vegetation communities in the Region.
Rationale Details
- Implemented. The Region is in attainment with this management standard. Policies and ordinances are in place to sustain common vegetation and a vegetation management restoration program has been underway to actively reduce unnaturally dense forest and restore fire resiliency of Tahoe’s upland ecosystems
Additional Figures and Resources
Tree Mortality: 2023 USFS Aerial Detection Survey Final Report
- Uploaded On
- 9/25/2024
- File Type
- Description
- Information in this document is based on data recorded and shared by the USDA Forest Service, R5 State & Private Forestry, Aerial Detection Survey (ADS) program. Surveys are conducted to provide annual estimates of tree mortality and damage and depict broad mortality trends. Most of California’s forested areas were surveyed in 2023.