Nevada’s National Public Lands Day; $147K Reward in Burnt Cedar Tree Poisonings; More

TRUCKEE

When Serene Lakes homeowner Chase Cambron spent years clearing defensible space and hardening his home against wildfire, he wasn’t chasing a discount. He’d lived through the 2017 Tubbs Fire, which destroyed his primary home in Santa Rosa, and didn’t want to risk losing another. That work has since moved him off the California FAIR Plan and onto a standard homeowners policy with Mercury Insurance, saving him roughly $7,000 a year.

Cambron also earned the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety’s (IBHS) Wildfire Prepared Home designation last year, the subject of a Truckee Fire Protection District (TFPD) release in May. However, Mercury representatives say it was the underlying mitigation work, not the certificate itself, that made the difference.

Mercury representatives say Cambron’s extensive property-level mitigation was central to the company’s wildfire-risk evaluation. “I’d been rejected four times because of my zip code, even though the house in Santa Rosa is built to wildland-urban interface standards,” Cambron said. “Being able to submit photos and not be treated like a number in a zip code has been a completely different experience.”

Cambron’s story isn’t an isolated case. Truckee Fire has completed more than 43,000 comprehensive defensible space and home hardening inspections across the district, using the Fire Aside software inspection platform to document results and provide homeowners with an actionable report of wildfire-risk reduction activities.

Truckee Fire encourages residents interested in following Cambron’s path to:

• Schedule a free, in-person defensible space evaluation with Truckee Fire at truckeefire.org/dspace. Ask about the IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home program if interested. 
• Complete home hardening upgrades using Truckee Fire’s Home Hardening Rebate Program, which reimburses 50% of eligible costs, up to $2,000.
• Talk to an insurance agent about wildfire mitigation discounts. Mercury’s wildfire mitigation resources are available at mercuryinsurance.com/local/california/homeowners-insurance/wildfire-mitigation.

~ Truckee Fire Protection District press release

TRUCKEE

Truckee Cultural District, in partnership with the Town of Truckee, Visit Truckee-Tahoe, Nevada County Arts & Culture, and the City of Nevada City invite the community to attend the third awards reception for the Keep It Dark Photo Contest on Friday, Oct. 2, at the Truckee Tahoe Airport from 5 to 7pm.

First, second, and third place winners were selected across three categories — youth, amateur, and professional — along with “Best of” east and west county selected by the mayors of Truckee and Nevada City, respectively. Three additional awards will be presented to the winning photograph selected by community voting. Winners will receive prizes totaling over $2,000 in Visit Truckee-Tahoe Sustainability Gift Cards and the winning photographs will be showcased at the Truckee Tahoe Airport and then moved to the Nevada City C.H.A.M.P Gallery in mid November.

Ways to Keep Appreciating Dark Skies

The night sky celebration doesn’t end with the awards! The reception is part of four days of programming for Truckee’s first Keep It Dark Astro Weekend. Plan to make a weekend of it with night-sky themed happenings like Tahoe Star Tours, a photography workshop, Wine, Walk & Shop through downtown and a Dark Sky writing workshop. 

THURSDAY, OCT. 1
Community Connections: Under the Tahoe Stars | 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Northstar California

$30/person. Advance registration required.

FRIDAY, OCT. 2
Keep It Dark Photo Contest Awards | 7 to 9 p.m.
Truckee Tahoe Airport, 10356 Truckee Airport Rd.

View the winning photographs and enjoy an evening of live music, bites, and beverages. Free to the public.

SATURDAY, OCT. 3
Downtown Truckee Wine, Walk & Shop + Dark Skies Awareness Stops | 12 to 4 p.m.
Downtown Truckee

Astro Photography Workshop: Milky Way in the Meadow | 7 to 10 p.m.
Norden Meadow, Donner Summit

Free. Advance registration required; space is limited. Reserve Your Spot.

SUNDAY, OCT. 4
Dark Skies Brunch & Creative Writing Workshop | 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
2046 Geiger St., Truckee Artists Loft

RSVP by Oct. 1 to tangledrootswriting@gmail.com

~ Nevada County Arts & Culture press release

INCLINE VILLAGE

The Incline Village General Improvement District (IVGID), together with members of the Incline Village community, have announced a combined $147,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and successful prosecution of the person(s) responsible for the recent tree poisonings at Burnt Cedar Beach.

On May 26, IVGID staff discovered that four trees had been poisoned with a substance believed to be diesel fuel. On July 23, staff discovered evidence that two more trees had been poisoned; and on Aug. 2, staff discovered that an additional 10 trees had been similarly targeted.

The reward commitments include $25,000 from IVGID and $122,000 from a group of private donors known as the Friends of Burnt Cedar Beach.

“IVGID extends its gratitude to the members of the community who have contributed to this effort,” said IVGID General Manager Robert Harrison. “We would also like to thank Chris Nolet, who has organized the community fundraising effort and will administer the funds committed by the Friends of Burnt Cedar Beach.”

Rewards Offered:

Anyone with pertinent information is encouraged to contact the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office at (775) 328-3001 and reference case number 26-4225. Information must be provided to the WCSO and not to IVGID staff. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Secret Witness by calling (775) 322-4900 or visiting secretwitness.com. 

The reward commitments offered by IVGID and the Friends of Burnt Cedar Beach are separately funded and administered but share the same goal — the successful prosecution of the person(s) responsible for these crimes. “Successful prosecution,” for the purpose of these rewards, means a conviction, a guilty plea, or a plea of no contest (nolo contendere). Information must be provided by March 31, 2027, and lead to a successful prosecution within two years of the date that it is provided.

Reward eligibility will also be conditional on written confirmation from the prosecutor that the information provided led directly to the arrest and successful prosecution of the perpetrator(s) of the tree poisoning. If multiple sources provide contributing information meeting these requirements, the administrators of the respective reward funds shall determine in their sole discretion how to apportion the reward proceeds among the contributors. In no event will anyone who committed or was an accessory to the tree-poisoning crimes be eligible for any portion of the rewards.

For additional background on the incident, visit the IVGID website: yourtahoeplace.com/news/trees-poisoned-at-burnt-cedar-beach.

~ IVGID press release

TAHOE CITY

The community is invited to learn more about the proposed Sierra Nevada Olympic Winter Museum and Community Cultural Center project with Placer County staff during a virtual community meeting Wednesday, Oct. 7, starting at 6 p.m.

To join the virtual meeting via Zoom, visit  placer-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/91333472516?pwd=aAji5uDcusMsBxhMzeGPYVem4Cga8V.1 

The proposed SNOW Museum project, located at 101 Olympic Valley Rd., would bring an approximately 20,000-square-foot museum and community cultural center to Olympic Valley Park. The project is envisioned to celebrate the legacy of the 1960 Winter Olympics and the history of winter sports in the Sierra Nevada. Moonshine Ink reported on the project in its September edition.

The proposed development would be located within Olympic Valley Park, an approximately 26.8-acre year-round community park consisting of two parcels owned and operated by Placer County. The project represents an opportunity to add a cultural and educational destination within the existing park while maintaining the park’s broader role as a community gathering place.  

The 1960 Winter Olympics, held in what is now Olympic Valley, helped establish the region as an internationally recognized winter sports destination. More than six decades later, the proposed center would provide an opportunity to preserve that legacy, share the history of winter sports in the Sierra Nevada, and create a new community gathering space for Olympic Valley.

Olympic Valley Park is subject to a deed restriction associated with Placer County’s 1999 purchase of the park parcels from the U.S. Forest Service. The restriction limits future uses of the property for private development of a commercial, residential, or industrial nature. Through continued discussions, the Forest Service has indicated that the proposed project does not appear to violate the property’s deed restriction, thereby allowing the county to proceed with project discussions.

County staff will also be available to answer questions and discuss the proposed project at the Discover and Discuss Community meeting Oct. 15 in Kings Beach. Learn more about that at  placer.ca.gov/calendar.aspx?EID=56509 

The project has been recommended for approval to the board of supervisors by the county planning commission. The board is anticipated to consider the project’s requested land-use entitlements at the Oct. 20 meeting.

Find more information about the proposed project here: placer.ca.gov/7884/SNOW-Sports-Museum-and-Community-Cultura.

~ Placer County press release

TRUCKEE

September is National Preparedness Month, and this year’s national theme, Americans Stand Ready, is a reminder that every member of the household, pets included, needs a plan for wildfires, severe storms, power outages, and other emergencies that can strike with little warning. The Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe (HSTT) is using the month to urge local pet owners to build, or update, a pet-specific emergency plan.

“Wildfires and other emergencies can happen with little or no warning, and pets don’t get a vote in when we decide to prepare,” said Erin Ellis, community engagement director with HSTT. “National Preparedness Month is the perfect nudge to make sure every animal in the house, not just the dog and cat, is part of the plan.”

If it isn’t safe for you, it isn’t safe for your pets. When evacuation orders are issued, pet owners should take all of their animals with them and should not assume they will be able to return home quickly.

Before an emergency happens, pet owners should identify several safe locations where their animals can stay. They can contact a veterinarian about boarding options, look into pet-friendly hotels outside the immediate area, or ask friends or family about temporary care. Cat carriers and dog crates should be kept readily accessible, and evacuation routes should be identified in advance.

Local shelters should be a last resort for pets, since shelters can fill up quickly and have limited space. Affordable pet carriers and crates are available at HSTT’s Thrifty Tails Boutique.

Every household should keep a pet-specific emergency kit ready to go at a moment’s notice, with enough supplies on hand to last through an extended evacuation.

A complete kit should include:

• Pet food and bottled water
• Food and water bowls
• Medications, first-aid supplies, and copies of prescriptions
• Current veterinary and vaccination records
• Collars, identification tags, harnesses, and extra leashes
• Secure carriers, crates, or travel cages
• Litter, litter trays, and a scoop for cats
• Flea and tick prevention products
• Bedding, blankets, and familiar comfort items
• Toys and treats
• Cleaning supplies and waste bags
• Recent photos of every pet in case owners become separated from them
• A list of emergency contacts, veterinarians, and pet-friendly evacuation locations, kept in a waterproof container

For birds, fish. and other small animals, kits should include appropriate carriers, tanks or bowls, bedding, food, water bottles, and other species-specific supplies. Reptiles may require secure housing and a way to maintain appropriate warmth.

For additional pet preparedness resources, dog licensing information, and community services, visit hstt.org.

~ HSTT press release

INCLINE VILLAGE

As fire personnel are responding to another new wildfire just outside the Tahoe Basin, the Tahoe Fund is launching a new fundraising campaign to help reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfire in Tahoe. Anyone who contributes $100 or more to the Tahoe Fund’s Smartest Forest Fund will receive a basic level annual subscription to Watch Duty, providing access to the app’s verified, real-time wildfire alerts.

“Catastrophic wildfires continue to explode throughout the West, and we know the Tahoe Basin is not immune to the threat wildfire poses,” said Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund CEO. “We established the Smartest Forest Fund in 2019 and since then, have actively pursued innovative forest health projects that are increasing the pace and scale of fixing our forests. By contributing to this effort, donors can help us pursue solutions to our forest health challenges.”

Forest density has increased over the past several decades in the Tahoe Basin, causing trees to compete for precious resources, including water. The Tahoe Fund intends to grow the Smartest Forest Fund to $5 million to drive forest health innovation through seed funding of pilot projects and technologies. The fund has been used to invest in promising new ideas and pilot projects to find and scale meaningful solutions.

To date, the Smartest Forest Fund has supported 23 projects across categories that include innovation and technology, workforce and education, wood utilization, community preparedness and advocacy, and the Fire Smart Community Pilots.

Watch Duty is a nonprofit that delivers real-time alerts and situational intelligence for wildfires and floods across all 50 U.S. states. Their network of active and retired firefighters, dispatchers, and emergency responders monitor radio traffic and verified sources around the clock to deliver easy-to-understand disaster intelligence in real time. The basic level annual subscription includes unlimited alerts for wildfires, air quality, weather, and more as well as advanced features like a real-time firefighting aircraft tracker. Learn more at watchduty.org. 

Donate to the Tahoe Fund’s Smartest Forest Fund here.

~ Tahoe Fund press release

NEVADA CITY

Nevada County will hold a community workshop to inform residents about the 2027–2035 Housing Element Update, an eight‑year plan required by state law that outlines how the county will meet local housing needs across all income levels. Community members will learn about the update process, the county’s long‑term housing strategy, preview key components of the plan, and have the opportunity to provide input. Following the Housing Element Survey completed in September, this is another opportunity to provide input. 

Public comment opportunities will also be available as the housing element is out for public review and comes before the planning commission and board of supervisors over the next several months.

Workshop Details

Date: Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026
Time: 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Board Chambers, Nevada County Government Center, 950 Maidu Ave., Nevada City, CA 95959

For more information, visit https://nevadacountyca.gov/housingelementupdate.

~ Nevada County advisory

INCLINE VILLAGE

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Governing Board approved on Sept. 23 a violation settlement with a lakefront property owner in Incline Village for illegal construction and modifications to their residence and violation of water quality protections during construction. The settlement requires payment of a $150,000 penalty, removal of unauthorized improvements, and a restoration plan for the affected shorezone area.

“TRPA’s longstanding permit requirements are designed to harmonize the natural and built environments and protect this lake for all to enjoy,” TRPA General Counsel Graham St. Michel said. “This settlement is a good result for Tahoe and we appreciate the cooperation of the property owner and the support of the governing board.”

In 2025, TRPA investigated a report of unauthorized construction on Lakeshore Boulevard in Incline Village. Violations included an unpermitted second-story unit, a storage shed, an expanded driveway, and construction materials stored in the shorezone.

In addition to the $150,000 penalty, the owner is required to remove the unauthorized second-story unit, storage shed, and construction materials from the shorezone and restore the area. The owner may remove other modifications and driveway improvements or submit a permit application to retain them. Any improvements that TRPA cannot approve through its permit process must be removed as well.

For additional information on TRPA’s compliance and enforcement procedures to protect Lake Tahoe, visit trpa.gov/compliance-enforcement.

~ TRPA press release

RENO

Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) is enhancing the traveler experience by transitioning to a new parking reservation system, which will be available beginning Monday, Oct. 13. Powered by Aeroparker, the new parking reservation system will offer:

• A four-step online reservation process
• Reservable parking in the long-term garage, RNO’s option closest to the terminal building
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the reservation begins
• Reservation holders will receive a QR code to scan at the parking entrance; the code can be added to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet for convenient scanning

Parking reservations will be paused during the transition to the new system between Oct. 1 to 12, 2026.

The airport is making these changes based on feedback from passengers who used RNO’s parking reservation system in the last year. Additionally, all customer service will be handled by the RNO parking team, making assistance easier. For travelers who have an existing reservation through the previous system, JustPark, their reservations will be honored through their booking dates.

Here’s what passengers should know when reserving parking in advance at RNO:

• The reservation system holds a limited number of spaces, and the remaining spots are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Reserved spaces are not marked.
• Parking reservations can fill quickly, so passengers are encouraged to plan ahead and book parking online at renoairport.com/parking when they purchase their flight.
• Parking reservation holders should still plan to arrive early. It may take 15 minutes to locate a space.

Additional parking options at RNO will become available for booking through the reservation system in the coming months. For more information and FAQs on how to reserve parking in advance at RNO, please visit renoairport.com/parking.

Read Moonshine Ink’s recent You Asked. They Answered piece about parking at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport in RNO Opens New Long-Term Lot as Passenger Numbers Hit 19-Year High.

~ RNO press release