Fire pit restrictions differ on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe

Depending on where you live on the South Shore, you may be able to have a wood fire in your outdoor fire pit, or, maybe not.

Restrictions differ between Tahoe Douglas Fire Department and the City of South Lake Tahoe and Lake Valley Fire Departments.

Cal Fire and the U.S Forest Service also have fire regulations to be aware of.

On July 1, fire restrictions go into effect concerning the burning of wood in your personal fire pit or at a campsite on the California side of the South Shore. In Meyers and South Lake Tahoe, there is no outside burning of wood allowed due to the extreme fire danger. This includes private property, government property and businesses. If you wish to burn charcoal or use propane in your backyard fire, that is okay since sparks don't travel from those types of fire. This restriction is from Cal Fire, so in effect in all areas where regulations are controlled by Cal Fire.

In the non-city limits, El Dorado County portion of the Lake Tahoe basin, there is no slash/debris burning, and homeowners can have wood fires in fire pits on their personal property, but only to cook on. If you are the owner of a property, you can have a cooking fire, this means start fire, are compliant with rules such as water at the fire and clear area, and are in attendance 100 percent of the time.

"If you start a fire, you will be held financial responsibility," said Lake Valley Fire Marshall J.P. Poell. "Just make sure you’re fire safe, always better to utilize common sense when you’re starting your fire, make sure not windy, or has potential to start."

Campfires are allowed only in the campsite's designated fire pits, both in the City's Campground by the Lake, and those operated by the U.S. Forest Service. No fires on the beach unless you're using a portable gas grill with gas flame.

California allowed
BBQs and fire pits with charcoal or gas flames in your backyard
Cooking fire in pit on personal property. Must put fire out when done cooking

California not allowed
Portable charcoal BBQs on all Forest Service beaches
Any open burning
Burning wood in fire pits on personal or commercial property in City Limits

Nevada allowed
Recreational fires in your own yard, as long as in a constructed fire pit, or acceptable appliance
Campground fires in established pits only

Nevada not allowed
Recreational fires off private property (on state or federal land)

The adopted fire code of the Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District (TDFPD) is the International Fire Code (IFC) 2012 ed., Douglas County Code, and Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Code as adopted by Nevada Statute. These codes allow recreational fires. Recreational fires may be prohibited during the fire season and are prohibited at all times during periods of high winds or high fire danger (red flag warnings). TDFPD has authority over fires within their jurisdictional boundaries including private property.