Series of prescribed burns planned at Lake Tahoe

RENO - Residents and visitors to Lake Tahoe's west shore should expect smoke this week from a series of prescribed burns.

The U.S. Forest Service officials said they plan to burn about three acres over several days in the Timberland area south of Tahoe City, Calif. They advise smoke-sensitive residents stay indoors and keep doors, windows and outside vents closed.

The intentionally set fires are intended to help thin overstocked forest conditions and reduce the threat of catastrophic fire.