[UPDATE] Castle Peak Avalanche Recovery Ongoing & Forest Closure Issued as Communities Mourn 9 Dead - SnowBrains

"In two updates released Thursday, February 19, the Nevada County Sheriff's Office said that dangerous weather and unstable snowpack are delaying recovery operations and that efforts are expected to extend into the weekend. "Due to hazardous weather conditions, avalanche victims cannot be safely extracted off the mountain today," the Sheriff's Office stated. Officials added that until the recovery mission is complete, they are unable to confirm identifications, ages, affiliations, or hometowns of the victims."

"In response to ongoing recovery operations and continued avalanche instability, the U.S. Forest Service - Tahoe National Forest has issued a closure of all National Forest lands and trails in the Castle Peak area near Truckee from February 20 through March 15, 2026. "Due to the current instability of the snowpack and need to prioritize first responder access to the area, members of the public are prohibited from entering the closure area during search and rescue operations," the statement reads."

A multi-day backcountry avalanche struck near Frog Lake huts outside Truckee on February 17, involving a guided group of 15 people—four guides and 11 clients. The event is confirmed as the deadliest avalanche in modern California history. Hazardous weather and an unstable snowpack have delayed recovery efforts and prevented safe extraction of victims, with operations expected to continue into the weekend. Until recovery is complete, officials cannot confirm victim identities, ages, affiliations, or hometowns. The U.S. Forest Service closed Castle Peak National Forest lands and trails from February 20 through March 15 to prioritize first responders and prohibit public entry.

Read at SnowBrains