The photo quickly drew attention online because people believed it appeared to contradict previous statements from the U.S. Forest Service regarding planned glyphosate herbicide use. The Forest Service approved the Caldor Fire Restoration Project in March 2026, a large-scale restoration effort covering approximately 11,100 acres of National Forest System land on Lake Tahoe’s South Shore. Herbicide Caution Sign ProvidedHowever, the U.S. Forest Service said the sign in the photo refers to a separate invasive species treatment and is not connected to the Caldor Fire Restoration Project. According to the Forest Service, a herbicide application sign was posted on June 25 for terrestrial weed treatments in the Pope-Baldwin-Kiva area. “USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit activities must comply with TRPA regulations that outline environmental protections for the Tahoe Basin.”