NewsCalifornia News

Actions

Future of Lake Tahoe clarity in question as wildfires worsen

Western Wildfires-Lake Tahoe
Posted
and last updated

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — With a wildfire no longer threatening Lake Tahoe, residents, tourists and scientists drawn to its clean alpine air, clear blue waters and fragrant pine trees now wonder about the long-term effects that remain.

Scientists say it’s too soon to draw conclusions, but they're not wasting time.

Researchers and state officials on the Tahoe Science Advisory Council discussed future study at a meeting Thursday. They’re studying how particles enter the lake, how they move around it and the effect on algae production.

As wildfires have grown in size and intensity amid climate change, scientists have become increasingly concerned about how smoke hundreds of miles away could harm the lake's clarity.

,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Friday

04/10/2026

Partly Cloudy

-° / 56°

2%

Saturday

04/11/2026

Rain Late

76° / 53°

86%

Sunday

04/12/2026

Mostly Cloudy

65° / 48°

24%

Monday

04/13/2026

Clear

66° / 46°

5%

Tuesday

04/14/2026

Clear

73° / 48°

4%

Wednesday

04/15/2026

Partly Cloudy

76° / 50°

4%

Thursday

04/16/2026

Mostly Clear

75° / 49°

2%

Friday

04/17/2026

Mostly Clear

79° / 52°

1%