Wildfire and weather extremes

Wildfire smoke impacts on Lake Tahoe

Researchers with the Institute have been working to understand the impacts of smoke and burning material from the Caldor, Dixie and other fires on Lake Tahoe. Not all smoke or ash that deposits on the lake are created equal.  Through collaborations with Utah State University, U.C. Davis and other institutions, researchers show how the quality of the ash and firebrands impacts the water quality of algal growth.

Learn about wildfire smoke impacts on Lake Tahoe

Snow science

Climate change is transforming winter conditions across the Tahoe region and Western Nevada, with rising temperatures converting precipitation from snow to rain, particularly at mid-elevations between 6,000 and 7,000 feet, resulting in significantly reduced snowpack even in high-precipitation years. As storms continue to warm, lower and mid-elevation areas face declining snow seasons, while higher elevations remain more resilient, making elevation the defining factor in how the Sierra Nevada adapts to a warming climate.

Sierra Nevada Snow Science
A view from the Alert Wildfire Camera showing Whittell Forest & Wildlife Area

ALERT Wildfire cameras

As part of an extensive network to help firefighters and first responders with wildfire discovery, monitoring and evacuations, an ALERTWildfire camera is installed in the Whittell Forest & Wildlife Area. ALERTWildfire is a consortium of the University of Nevada, Reno, the University of California San Diego and the University of Oregon. The system features highdefinition pan-tilt-zoom cameras that rotate 360 degrees, giving real-time information around the clock using near-infrared technology, all coupled with private microwave networks and internet that give firefighters valuable information about the fires. Cameras can see from 40 to 60 miles during the day and 80 to 100 miles or more at night.

Discover ALERT Wildfire

Wildfire and extreme weather research

A mountain that has been burnt by fire.

Fire and Dryland Ecosystems Lab

Dr. Erin Hanan leads the Fire and Dryland Ecosystems Lab at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Fire and Dryland Ecosystems Lab
A scenic image of a controlled burn on the east shores of Lake Tahoe.

Living with Fire

Since its inception, the University of Nevada, Reno Living with Fire (LWF) extension has created materials for residents that have been shared and applied to fire-prone regions throughout the country.

Living with Fire Extension
A scenic view of a snowy mountain with a dry pond in the foreground.

Nevada Mountain Ecohydrology Lab

The Harpold lab tackles grand challenges related to water sustainability in response to unprecedented environmental change and increasing water demand in the 21st century.

Nevada Mountain Ecohydrology Lab
A snowy mountain overlooking Lake Tahoe.

Computational Mountain Studies

The Computational Mountain Studies research group focuses on snow and ice in the climate system, and how they melt and become water supply for communities and ecosystems.

Computational Mountain Studies