The annual Lake Tahoe Summit was held virtually Thursday morning, bringing California, Nevada and federal lawmakers together to discuss ways to protect the lake and the environment around it.
Climate change and wildfires were the forefront of discussion during the event.
Alex Padilla, the junior U.S. senator from California and host of this year’s summit, said the smoky air choking the Lake Tahoe area this summer has made climate change impossible to ignore.
"Temperatures are rising in Lake Tahoe, because temperatures are rising throughout the west and really throughout the world," Padilla said.
And of course, that smoke is coming from wildfires burning throughout California right now.
Deb Haaland, U.S. Secretary of the Interior, offered condolences to those who have been impacted.
"My heart goes out to those who have lost homes and businesses to the Dixie Fire, the Caldor Fire and the other fires burning across the west," she said.
Rep. Tom McClintock, a Republican from Roseville, called for better forest management in order to fight wildfires. An untended forest is like an untended garden, he said.
"It will grow and grow and grow until it chokes itself to death and excess growth is always removed," McClintock explained. "The question's whether we carry it out, or nature burns it out,"
For 25 years, the Lake Tahoe Summit has been held to address issues facing the lake. In addition to wildfires, other areas of focus include invasive species, water clarity and sustainable recreation.
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