By Ashlyn Rhodes

The Tahoe National Forest is gearing up for summer.  Forest Public Affairs Officer Michael Woodbridge says the Forest Service has officially opened up most of the seasonal roads in the western side of the Tahoe Forest, including the American River and Yuba River ranger districts.  Woodbridge says the Forest Service closes some roads in the winter because they become dangerous or completely impassible in the wet weather.

click to hear Michael Woodbridge

You can find information on these roads, including opening and closing dates, on the Motor Vehicle Use Map, or MVUM.  Woodbridge says you can pick up a free copy of the map at any Tahoe National Forest office, or can be found online.  You can also download a copy of the MVUM to your mobile device using the free Avenza PDF Map app.

With the dry winter and the hot summer, this summer’s fire season promises to be an especially punishing one.  Woodbridge says that Tahoe is preparing to tackle wildfires this season.

click to hear Michael Woodbridge

Woodbridge stresses that forest visitors must be diligent in their fire-prevention efforts.  He asks visitors to never leave a campfire unattended and to pay attention to chains and other items that may cause sparks.

click to hear Michael Woodbridge

You can download a road map or find out more information about the Tahoe National Forest on their website.  You can also find the Tahoe Forest Service on Twitter and Facebook.