Fire danger still extremely high; bans in place

With the major forest fires burning throughout California, Oregon and Washington, it's a good time to remind everyone that there are fire restrictions in place in South Lake Tahoe.

The City of South Lake Tahoe and the U.S. Forest Service both have fire bans in place. Campfires and charcoal barbecues have been restricted to designated forest service recreation sites in the Lake Tahoe Basin since June 26, even if campers and back country hikers have a fire permit.

The South Lake Tahoe Fire Department has adopted Section 307 of the California Fire Code and has banned open burning. The code allows the department to take this action “when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous”. There is no outdoor open burning in the SLT city limits due to the extreme fire danger and severe drought conditions throughout the state of California.

"With record drought conditions in the West, agencies in both California and Nevada are anticipating increased fire activity," said Fire Management Officer, Kit Bailey. "Fire restrictions help reduce the possibility of accidental human caused fires."

On National Forest System land fire restrictions mean:

- No open fires or campfires are allowed outside of designated recreation sites even with a valid campfire permit. Portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed with a valid campfire permit.
- No possessing or using any kind of fireworks or other pyrotechnic device.
- No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or designated recreation site.
- No welding, or operating acetylene or any other torch with an open flame.
- No operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed and maintained in effective working order.

In addition, campfires are prohibited in all semi-developed sites such as Luther Pass, Blackwood Canyon, and Watson Lake campgrounds, as well as in all dispersed recreation locations, such as the Meiss backcountry area on Luther Pass and the Freel Peak roadless area on the southeast end of the Lake Tahoe Basin. Forest users should obtain specific information about restrictions and the area they are visiting before venturing out.