Fire restrictions begin Monday outside the Lake Tahoe basin

Fire restrictions for the Carson and Bridgeport districts of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest will begin on Monday, June 18. The combination of a particularly dry winter and spring, parched vegetation, lingering drought conditions, increasing daytime temperatures, and recent human-caused fires forced the Forest Service to implement the conditions.
Trees, grasses and other forest vegetation are drying out quickly in lower and higher elevations, said Forest Service Fire Management Officer Grace Newell. The public is encouraged to enjoy the forest but bear in mind that human-caused fires annually threaten human life, private property, and public land resources.
“The campfire that you forget to extinguish today could very well become the wildfire in your backyard tomorrow,” said Newell.

Fire Restrictions Prohibit:
1. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire (using wood, charcoal or any other material), campfire, or stove fire except a portable stove using gas or pressurized liquid fuel, outside of a developed fee campground or picnic area (except by permit).
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or at a developed campground or picnic area.
3. Welding, or operating an acetylene torch with open flames, except by permit.
4. Using or causing to be used, any explosive, except by permit.
5. Possession or use of fireworks (always prohibited), or any other incendiary device.
6. Use of tracer rounds, steel-core ammunition or exploding targets while recreational shooting.
7. Open burning (e.g. weeds, brush and yard debris).

Affected Areas:
Forest Service – all areas, roads and trails within the Carson and Bridgeport Ranger Districts on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest,with the exception of using campfires within the approved fire pits or grills provided in open Fee Recreation sites below.

National Forest visitors are reminded that the charcoal grills cannot be used during fire restrictions. Charcoal burns longer and hotter than wood and may appear to be cold; however, embers can linger for hours. Winds can spread the embers from charcoal and campfires into vegetation, igniting a wildfire. Propane or white gas stoves, however, are acceptable for use during fire restrictions.

The Forest Service may cite those who do not comply with the posted restrictions. As a reminder, use or possession of fireworks on National Forests is against the law. Violation of these prohibitions is subject to punishment by a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment for not more than six months or both, as Class B misdemeanors under federal law (agency statutes vary). Persons may also be responsible for resource damage, suppression costs, and any injuries that occur if they are found liable for causing a wildfire.

Carson Ranger District campgrounds - under fire restrictions, camp fires may be allowed in designated steel fire rings at the following locations:

Silver Creek
Markleeville
Hope Valley
Kit Carson
Crystal Springs
Mt. Rose
Lookout

Bridgeport Ranger District campgrounds where campfires are allowed during restrictions:

Lower Twin Lakes
Crags
Robinson Creek (North and South)
Paha
Honeymoon Flats
Buckeye
Green Creek and Green Creek Group
Trumbull Lake
Bootleg

Bridgeport Ranger District campgrounds that are NOT permitted to have campfires during fire restrictions:
Upper and Lower Virginia Creek (139)
Obsidian Campground
Sonora Bridge Picnic Day Use Area
Shingle Mill Day Use Area
Leavitt Falls Overlook
Desert Creek
Cloudburst
Virginia Lake Trailhead Picnic Area

Special Use Resort Areas permitted to have campfires during fire restrictions:
Doc and Al’s Resort
Hope Valley Resort
Twin Lakes Resort

Call the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Supervisor’s Office for information at (775) 331-6444 in Sparks, the Carson Ranger District at (775) 882-2766, or the Bridgeport Ranger District at (760) 932-7070. Questions may also be directed to Bridgeport Ranger District’s Fire Management Officer, Grace Newell, at (760) 932-7070, or Carson Ranger District’s Assistant District Fire Management Officer, Paul Washam, at (530) 694-2142.