Disaster averted after fires left by careless campers doused in Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The outcome could have been much different had
there not been a quick response by the U.S. Forest Service-Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit and other firefighting agencies at two different spots on Monday.

Both fires look like they are a result of illegal campfires, one on the northwest end of Lake Tahoe near Watson Lake and the other south of the basin in Meiss Country.

The Round Fire, located in Meiss Country south of Round Lake above Luther Pass, was reported at approximately 12:50 p.m. An illegal campfire in a rock fire ring spread into heavy fuels and burned approximately one-tenth of an acre before being extinguished by the Tallac Hotshots and a U.S. Forest Service-Eldorado National Forest helicopter that had to make numerous water drops on the fire. Fire prevention staff noted there are numerous rock fire rings in the area that showed recent fire activity even though campfires have not been allowed in this area for three years now.

The Beach Fire, located on the south side of Mt. Pluto near Watson Lake, was reported at approximately 2:05 p.m. Responding agencies included the Forest Service, two CAL FIRE engines, the Slide Mountain Hand Crew from North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, and a single resource from the U.S. Forest Service-Tahoe National Forest. This fire also burned approximately one-tenth of an acre and is currently under control. Although the cause of this fire is still under investigation, evidence points to another illegal campfire.

There are year-round fire restrictions on National Forest lands in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Campfires are prohibited in backcountry areas due to high fire risk.

Just because a campsite has a rock ring does not mean it has a legal campfire pit. Campfires are only allowed within metal fire rings in some campgrounds. The forest order prohibiting fires and a list of campgrounds with the metal fire rings can be found here: https://go.usa.gov/xVD45.

Portable pressurized gas stoves are allowed in all areas with a valid California Campfire Permit obtainable online at http://www.preventwildfireca.org/Campfire-Permit/.

There are no outdoor wood-burning fires allowed in the South Lake Tahoe City Limits unless they are for cooking in a barbeque. No wood bonfires or campfires. Only gas appliances are allowed.

At this time, some outdoor fires are allowed in Douglas County and El Dorado County.

In Douglas County at the lake, outdoor fires can be in an appropriate approved appliance, permanent barbecue, portable barbecue, outdoor fireplace, incinerator, or grill and has a total fuel area of 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth or similar purposes.

Report any illegal campfire activity seen in the forest or other nonpermitted areas immediately by calling 911.