Fire danger at Lake Tahoe remains a concern for fire officials

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team is reminding the public that fire danger in the Lake Tahoe Basin remains high due to the ongoing drought and lack of precipitation. Illegal campfires and warming fires continue to be a concern for fire officials and are the major cause of wildfires in the basin. Fire restrictions are still in effect on National Forest land and will remain in effect until the official end of fire season. Campfires, warming fires and portable charcoal grills are only allowed in campgrounds that have an onsite host and are never allowed on beaches or in the general forest.

“There are only a handful of places that campfires are allowed in the Lake Tahoe Basin,” said Forest Service Fire Chief, Kit Bailey. “The key to preventing wildfires is to use common sense when having a fire and to be aware of fire restrictions. We need the public’s help to prevent wildfires and keep our communities safe.”

On National Forest lands, fire restrictions mean:

· No open fires, campfires or charcoal fires are allowed outside of exempted recreation sites even with a valid campfire permit (see the Fire Restriction Forest Order at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/ltbmu/ForestOrders). Campfires must be built within agency installed and approved fire rings or grills. Lanterns and portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed with a valid California Campfire Permit available at http://www.preventwildfireca.org/Campfire-Permit or from Forest Service offices during normal business hours.

· No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, building or exempted recreation site.

· Internal combustion engines are restricted to National Forest System roads, routes, trails and areas as identified on the LTBMU Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/ltbmu/TravelManagement.

· No possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device, using an explosive or operating a welding or other torch with an open flame. All fireworks, including sparklers and firecrackers, are always illegal in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

For more information, call the Forest Supervisor’s office at 530-543-2600, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

For information about private land fire restrictions, contact your local fire district, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CALFIRE), or the Nevada Division of Forestry (NDF).