Underwater salvage operations to recover the barges that sank offshore last July are scheduled to begin in a few weeks.
As a result, Ski Beach in Incline Village is scheduled to be closed to all public access from Friday, March 13th through Tuesday, March 31. The operation is now able to move forward following the resolution of contractual delays that had previously stalled the project. The salvage work is expected to take approximately 15 operational days, though scheduling may be adjusted based on weather and lake conditions.
The temporary closure is necessary to support the safe recovery of a sunken barge owned by Tahoe Marine and Excavation along with remaining fireworks materials and associated debris located on the Lake Tahoe lakebed offshore of Ski Beach.
The recovery will be led by Parker Diving Service, a commercial marine dive and salvage company based in Sausalito and supported by specialized marine subcontractors.
The debris field rests at an approximate depth of 140 feet in Lake Tahoe. Due to Lake Tahoe’s elevation, this equates to an effective dive depth of approximately 190 feet at sea level, creating highly technical diving conditions.
Phased Salvage Operations
The recovery project is being conducted in multiple phases.
PHASE I – Completed (October 2025),
PHASE II - Scheduled During Beach Closure
PHASE III - Scheduled During Beach Closure
While IVGID has tested the water previously and found no impact on the community’s water quality, additional testing at both the recovery site area and the Burnt Cedar drinking water source area will be conducted in coordination with the scheduled salvage process. Testing will be conducted prior to operations, periodically during the recovery work, and following the completion of the project.
AUGUST 1, 2025:
Plans are now underway to recover the barge that sank after last month's sudden storm, cancelling a popular July 4th fireworks show in Incline Village.
Incline Fireworks Inc. say its recovered now 96% of the submerged fireworks from the privately owned barge.
They say the fireworks found on July 4th were safely transported out of Incline Village in compliance with Nevada Department of Transportation regulations. An additional 18 fireworks found after July 4th were handed over to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad for proper disposal.
They say the submerged barge rests at depths of 142 to 180 feet and will require the expertise of a certified dive team and most likely remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). They say video footage from the Washoe County ROV team has indicated that many of the missing fireworks are near the barge.
The organization says that would pose a risk to public health.
The ATF is involved due to safety concerns related to the explosives. Persons in unlawful possession or misusing fireworks may be criminally prosecuted by the ATF as a felony.
If you discover any fireworks debris or unexploded materials, do not touch it. Report it to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Non-Emergency Dispatch at 775-785-WCSO (9276) for disposal.
Incline Fireworks, Inc. has released new details about the ongoing recovery and investigation following the July 4 fireworks barge incident in Incline Village.
According to the organization, more than 95% of the 1,270 fireworks intended for the show have been recovered, with 1,211 accounted for as of July 7.
Recovery efforts are being led by North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, and Incline Village General Improvement District.
Fireworks recovered after the Fourth have been transferred to the WCSO Bomb Squad for safe disposal.
Video from the Washoe County ROV team suggests that many of the 59 shells still unaccounted for are likely submerged near the original barge site.
Recovery in that area is ongoing and remains restricted to authorized personnel.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is now involved in the investigation, citing public safety concerns.
The ATF may offer rewards for information leading to the arrest of individuals involved in theft or illegal possession of explosives.
Community members are urged not to handle any fireworks or debris. Instead, they should photograph the item, note its exact location, and call the recovery hotline at (775) 241-8572. Emergencies should be reported to 911.
Incline Fireworks also thanked the community and supporting organizations for their help in restoring Incline Beach and Ski Beach.
Hermit Beach remains closed, though kayak storage can be accessed via the bridge at Ski Beach.
Further updates will be released as more information becomes available.
The Board of Directors of Incline Fireworks, Inc. has issued a statement regarding the destruction of the fireworks barge.
In the statement, the board thanks the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, Washoe County Sheriff's Office, Incline Village General Improvement District and Lantis Fireworks for their response to the incident.
"We are incredibly thankful for the swift action of our public safety partners, whose coordinated efforts helped protect the community and the environment during this unexpected event,” said Board Co-President Shelia Leijon.
The recovery operation is still ongoing, as is a formal investigation into the cause of the incident.
Officials are asking community members who may come across any debris related to the fireworks or barge to take a photo of the debris, note the exact location, then call the recovery hotline at (775) 241-8572.
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) has shared an update about the efforts to clean up after a fireworks barge was destroyed during storms on Lake Tahoe Thursday night.
Due to the efforts of all partner agencies, Ski Beach, Incline Beach and the boat ramp will open on Sunday, July 6.
The Incline Village fireworks show is now canceled after the fireworks barge sustained storm damage during a recent storm.
Out of an abundance of caution, Incline and Ski beaches will remain closed until further notice while community partners assess the situation and develop a recovery plan.
Your safety is our top priority. Please stay tuned for updates through official channels.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office says the boat ramp is also closed.
Burnt Cedar Beach is open - but only for IVGID Punch Cards and Pass Holders.
If you discover any fireworks debris or unexploded materials around Lake Tahoe, do not touch it. Report it to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Non-Emergency Dispatch at 775-785-WCSO (9276) for disposal.
Andy Chapman, President & CEO of Travel North Tahoe Nevada released this statement:
"On this 4th of July, Travel North Tahoe Nevada extends its deep gratitude to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, fire and other safety personnel who are leading the cleanup following the aftermath of last night’s storm and the resulting damage to the planned fireworks display.
"Safety must be our shared, first priority and we commend the decision to cancel tonight’s fireworks display out of an abundance of caution as cleanup efforts continue. If you discover any fireworks debris or unexploded materials around Lake Tahoe, do not touch it. Please report it to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Non-Emergency Dispatch at 775-785-WCSO (9276) for disposal.
"We encourage everyone in the area to exercise extreme caution, heed all law enforcement warnings and directions and stay informed by following official law enforcement pages. Travel North Tahoe Nevada will continue to monitor the situation and provide support where needed in addition to keeping the public informed as the situation develops."
MAY 13, 2025:
The night sky over Lake Tahoe’s northern shore will light up in a patriotic blaze once again, as the Washoe County Board of Commissioners has approved an Outdoor Festival Business License for a July 4, 2025 fireworks display in Incline Village, organized by Red White and Tahoe Blue II, now operating as "Incline Fireworks".
The show, expected to draw up to 6,000 people, will take place from 9:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on a barge in Lake Tahoe, in front of the Incline Village General Improvement District beaches, and presented by Lantis Pyrotechnic Inc.
According to the approved proposal, traffic control will begin at 5:00 a.m. on July 4 and continue through event close.
Parking will be available at multiple local lots, with many attendees expected to walk or bike, and additional portable restrooms and handwashing stations will be provided.
Cleanup will begin immediately following the show, with a community clean-up day scheduled for July 5.
The July 4 event has been a longstanding tradition in Incline Village. The first Red, White and Tahoe Blue community celebration was held in 2007 as a grassroots initiative led by residents who formed the nonprofit Red, White and Tahoe Blue Inc. to organize a community celebration
That group ran the event through 2018. It grew into a major annual event until changes in 2019, with responsibility for the fireworks show shifted to the Incline Village Crystal Bay Fireworks Coalition, while other organizations managed smaller events.
The 2020 event was canceled due to COVID-19, and no event was held in 2021.
In 2022 and 2023, a Drone Sky Show was produced in place of traditional fireworks by the Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau in partnership with local entities including IVGID, IVCBA, the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe, and the Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation.
In 2024, the event was organized by a new organization, Red White and Tahoe Blue II who worked to resume the fireworks tradition, which continues this year under the same group now operating as "Incline Fireworks" with another fireworks display.
The 2025 event is planned as a repeat of last year’s format, focused on a single fireworks show, with other activities coordinated by separate groups.
The event is permitted by the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District and may also require approvals from the U.S. Coast Guard, the FAA, and the Nevada Department of Wildlife.
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