New fire restrictions in place for Lake Tahoe recreation areas and campgrounds

With illegal and unattended campfires the cause of over 90% of wildfires in the Lake Tahoe Basin, new fire restrictions go into place on July 1, 2015. Campfires and charcoal barbecues will be restricted to designated recreation sites, and other fire-related activities are prohibited until the end of fire season.

“Increased fire danger due to the ongoing drought combined with warmer and dryer weather is a big concern for the basin," said U.S. Forest Service fire management officer, Kit Bailey. "Fire restrictions help reduce the possibility of human caused fires.”

When restrictions are in effect, campfires and charcoal BBQs are allowed only in exempted recreation sites and only in the USFS provided standing BBQ grills. Only gas stoves and lanterns can be used in the general forest.

For the 4th of July, all portable charcoal grills are prohibited on all Forest Service Beaches (Kiva, Pope, Baldwin, Camp Richardson, Emerald Bay, Nevada Beach, Zephyr Cove, D.L. Bliss, Chimney Beach, Secret Cove).

If you're planning to grill this Fourth of July, bring a portable gas grill. Only a limited number of fixed charcoal grills are available at Forest Service Beaches.

On National Forest System land fire restrictions mean:

1. No open fires, campfires or charcoal fires are allowed outside of designated areas, even with a valid campfire permit. Lanterns and portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed, unless otherwise restricted, with a valid campfire permit. Campfire permits may be obtained for free at any Forest Service office or by visiting http://www.preventwildfireca.org/Campfire-Permit.
2. No possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic or explosive device.
3. No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or designated recreation site.
4. No welding, or operating acetylene or any other torch with an open flame.
5. No operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed and maintained in effective working order.
6. Campfires are not permitted on National Forest beaches or in the general forest.

In addition, campfires will be prohibited in all semi-developed sites including Luther Pass, Blackwood Canyon, and Watson Lake campgrounds, as well as in other locations including the Meiss and Freel Peak roadless areas on the southeast end of the Lake Tahoe Basin. Campfires are never allowed in the Desolation Wilderness.

For a full list of areas affected, please visit this link provided by the U.S. Forest Service.