Fire dangers prompt ban on target shooting in National Forest

Due to extremely dry vegetation and very high fire danger, recreational target shooting is prohibited in the Eldorado National Forest until at least October 9, 2018. In the Lake Tahoe Basin, it is not prohibited but they suggest those wishing to target shoot go to one of the legal ranges in Carson City or Gardnerville for safety reasons.

"I am implementing a temporary ban on recreational shooting to provide for public safety and resource protection during hazardous conditions," said Supervisor Crabtree. "It's already extremely dry right now. Our most dangerous fire weather typically occurs in September and October which is when strong wind events tend to occur, like the one associated with the devastating fires in northern California last fall and the King Fire in September 2014."

Under the additional restrictions, target shooting will be prohibited in all areas of the Eldorado National Forest unless specifically authorized by a special use permit with the forest. Hunting with a valid State of California hunting license during hunting season is exempt from this restriction. Any federal, state or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty is also exempt.

Fire ignitions from target shooting can by caused by sparks when bullets hit rocks or by hot metal fragments that encounter dry vegetation. The Bureau of Land Management, Motherlode field office has had restrictions on recreational target shooting in place since July 13, in areas near the Eldorado National Forest.

Target shooting is allowed on National Forest lands in the Tahoe Basin (and other National Forests) provided you adhere to the following rules set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations:

(d) Discharging a firearm or any other implement capable of taking human life, causing injury, or damaging property as follows:

(1) In or within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area, or

(2) Across or on a National Forest System road or a body of water adjacent thereto, or in any manner or place whereby any person or property is exposed to injury or damage as a result in such discharge.

(3) Into or within any cave.

Fines for breaking these rules start at $400 in California and $500 in Nevada.

For more information, consult the USFS Shooting and Hunting website -
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/ltbmu/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5412380.

National Forest lands in the Tahoe Basin receive over 7.7 million annual visitors, which are spread out over a very small and concentrated area. Extreme safety precautions must be followed for the safety of all.