Several forest health projects are underway this summer at Van Sickle Bi-State Park as part of an effort to protect the surrounding Tahoe Douglas community from wildfires and improve the park’s long-term safety and environmental health.
Crews are clearing out dead vegetation, thinning overgrown trees and brush, and using equipment to break up dense plant growth.
These activities aim to reduce the risk of large, fast-moving wildfires while also improving trail conditions and wildlife habitat.
The work will continue over the coming years, and visitors may notice chainsaws or heavy equipment in the park.
Some trails may be temporarily rerouted for safety.
Planned projects include hazardous fuel reduction, trail improvements, aspen habitat restoration, controlled understory burning in select areas, and protections for utility lines and evacuation routes.
These forest health efforts will also lay the foundation for recreation-focused improvements scheduled to begin in 2026 and beyond.
The work is part of a multi-agency collaboration involving the Nevada Division of State Parks, Nevada Division of Forestry, Nevada Division of State Lands, Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District, NV Energy, Harrah’s, and the Nevada Tahoe Resource Team.
“After several years of planning, we’re eager to begin this vital work at Van Sickle,” said Anna Higgins, Forester III with the Nevada Tahoe Resource Team. “By uniting partners across property boundaries, we’re taking a more holistic approach to forest management. These treatments have a proven track record of preventing catastrophic losses to homes, lives, and ecosystems, as we’ve seen most recently with the Davis and Caldor fires.”
