The Incline Village General Improvement District have announced a $147,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person or persons responsible for the recent tree poisonings at Burnt Cedar Beach.
The reward is a combination of $25,000 from IVGID and 122,000 from a group of private donors known as the Friends of Burnt Cedar Beach.
A total of 28 trees with an estimated value exceeding $300,000 were targeted in the poisonings last summer.
Anyone with information regarding the tree poisonings is asked to contact the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office at (775) 328-3001 and reference case number 26-4225. Information related to the investigation should not be submitted to IVGID staff.
Anonymous tips may also be submitted through Secret Witness by calling (775) 322-4900 or visiting secretwitness.com.
Aug. 4, 2026 Update:
A series of intentional tree poisonings is under investigation at Burnt Cedar Beach after multiple trees were recently found contaminated.
On July 24, deputies with the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office responded to the beach after a strong smell was found near the base of a large pine tree, according to a release from the WCSO.
Soil samples collected from the area, along with the smell, were consistent with previous tree poisonings in the area.
Deputies returned to Burnt Cedar Beach on August 2 after additional trees were discovered with a substance around their bases.
Investigators think the most recent incident happened some time between 11:30 a.m. on August 1 and 5 a.m. on August 2.
A trail camera captured a brief light near the area at around 2 a.m.
Deputies are continuing to investigate and are canvassing the area for additional video evidence.
The recent cases follow similar incidents reported at Burnt Cedar Beach.
Since 2022, investigators have documented multiple cases involving a substance being poured around the bases of trees or placed into holes drilled near their roots.
Anyone who may have witnessed any of these poisonings or seen suspicious activity on August 1 or 2, or who has any information, is asked to contact the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office at (775) 328 – 3001 and reference case number 26-4225.
You can also contact Secret Witness at (775) 322-4900.
