Fire restrictions begin June 17 on West Slope, July 1 in Lake Tahoe Basin

With tinder-dry conditions after one of the driest winters on record, California fire officials will suspend burning permits along the West Slope and Eldorado National Forest beginning June 17. Fire restrictions in the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit will begin July 1.

CAL FIRE’s Amador-El Dorado- Sacramento Unit will suspend door-yard burning permits and the Forest Service will begin fire restrictions in portions of Eldorado National Forest.

Residential burn permits will be suspended in the State Responsibility Area of the Amador-El Dorado-Sacramento Unit of CAL FIRE beginning at 8 a.m. on Monday, June 17. The Unit includes Amador, El Dorado and a portion of eastern Sacramento counties, said CAL FIRE spokeswoman Kelly Keenan.

Also on June 17, fire restrictions will go into effect in portions of the Eldorado National Forest in areas located generally below 6,000 feet, says Forest Supervisor Kathy Hardy. A map illustrating the exact boundary of the restricted area and the complete list of fire restrictions are found on the Eldorado National Forest website here.

Fire restrictions will go into effect in the remainder of the Eldorado National Forest on July 1.

Fire restrictions will also go into effect in the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit on July 1, according to LTBMU Forest Supervisor Nancy Gibson. “As we enter the height of tourist season here in the Lake Tahoe Basin, the last two consecutive dry winters have left us with an increased potential for wildfire.” said Gibson. “By working together we can help protect our homes, the community and our public lands from wildfire.”

Specific fire restriction information will be posted on the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit website here.

“Unsafe campfires are the leading cause of person caused fires in the National Forest,” said Hardy. “If you are planning to camp outside of a campground or other designated site after fire restrictions are in place, remember campfires and charcoal fires will not be allowed.”

CAL FIRE Unit Chief Keenan reminds residents that anyone who burns on or after June 17th will be in violation of the burn suspension and may be subject to civil or criminal action including cost recovery charges for a fire suppression response. Residents are encouraged to learn about defensible space on CAL FIRE’s website www.ReadyForWildfire.org or to call (530) 644-2345 to receive free defensible space information.

“The 3,100 acre Angora Fire in 2007 that destroyed 254 homes is a tragic example of the damage an unsafe campfire can cause,” said Gibson. “This year everyone living in fire prone areas shares the responsibility to prevent wildfires. Keep Smokey in your thoughts and fire prevention in your actions.”

Fire officials say homeowners can dramatically increase the chances of their home surviving a wildfire by taking the following action.

· Create a minimum of 100 feet (or to the property line) of defensible space around each structure on your property.
· Clear all needles and leaves from roofs, eaves, and rain gutters.
· Trim branches on tree trunks a minimum of six feet from the ground (but no more than 1/3 of the trees canopy).
· Remove branches 10 feet from all chimneys or stove pipes.
· Landscape with fire resistant plants.