Be Fire Safe: Outdoor fire pits, legal or illegal?

Fire pits. The outdoor means to a perfect s'more and good conversation around a fire on a cool summer evening. But, in the midst of a drought are they safe? Are they legal when fire restrictions are in place?

There are three fire district jurisdictions just in South Lake Tahoe, along with the U.S. Forest Service, and they all have different rules concerning the backyard fire pit. One thing they all do share is for residents and visitors to be smart about fire and to not be careless.

These are the current rules surrounding fire pits. Due to dry conditions, anything concerning personal burning can quickly change.

In the South Lake Tahoe city limits fire pits are only allowed if they do not cause sparks. Fire pits fueled by natural gas are okay, but only if they have a current permit issued by the South Lake Tahoe Fire Department. Charcoal barbecues and propane fire pits are permitted. Fire pits that burn wood are not permitted.

In the El Dorado County portion of South Lake Tahoe, fire pits are permitted if they are at least ten feet away from a fuel source. Wood fires are discouraged because of flying embers. Propane, natural gas, charcoal are all permitted.

Tahoe Douglas Fire on the Nevada side of the lake says outdoor fire pits for recreational use only are permitted, but only if the fire is 30 feet away from a fire source (house or trees), is for recreational use, is not burning on a red flag/high wind day, has a spark arrestor and is UL Listed.

Bonfires on the beaches in South Lake Tahoe are banned according to the U.S. Forest Service. They create a hazard for people enjoying the beaches as well as a fire hazard.

South Tahoe Now will have a series of "Be Fire Safe" articles, tips and suggestions all fire season.