Updated fire restrictions around Lake Tahoe - No wood fires allowed anywhere

As temperatures rise, a landscape that continues to dry, and a lake level that is dropping daily, conditions are unfortunately becoming ripe for fire. In order to better protect the Lake Tahoe Basin, restrictions on open flames have expanded to more areas.

Starting June 15 there are no wood or charcoal fires allowed on USFS Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) land, and in all other fire districts around the lake except for the City of South Lake Tahoe. At this time, charcoal is allowed in the city limits only and at California State Parks (which also allow wood fires within their boundaries). At the California State Parks check regulations upon arrival as they are subject to change.

The LTBMU enhanced fire restrictions will remain in effect through November or until rescinded. Wood and charcoal fires and other fire-related activities are prohibited on National Forest System lands in the Lake Tahoe Basin, including developed campgrounds.

Illegal campfires cause over 90 percent of the wildfires at Lake Tahoe and increased fire danger due to severe drought conditions and warm weather is a big concern this summer. Enhanced fire restrictions will help reduce the possibility of human-caused fires.

Since there are several fire protection districts in the Lake Tahoe Basin along with LTBMU, the following outlines each of their restrictions and allowable uses. The one constant with all agencies around Lake Tahoe is a Red Flag Warning. No matter the local rules there are no flame fires allowed, propane included.

Tahoe Douglas Fire and South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue both visited local grocery stores and places where the banned items would be sold to inform them so the public is aware at the purchase point.

City of South Lake Tahoe

No firewood is allowed to be burned in South Lake Tahoe, including at the city-owned Campground By The Lake on Lake Tahoe Boulevard.

Charcoal is allowed at the campground, single-family homes, and duplexes, but not at multi-family units (as outlined in the state fire code). The Tahoe Valley Campground at the Y actually rests in El Dorado County so they must follow the Lake Valley Fire Protection District rules which is no wood or charcoal.

Charcoal is also not allowed in the Tahoe Keys per its HOA rules and check with your HOA to see if further restrictions.

South Lake Tahoe Fire Chief Clive Savacool said they are allowing charcoal use in barbeques because he trusts adults to know how to use it, and use it responsibly. There were almost a dozen service calls a day last summer in response to home barbeque use with charcoal.

There are no wood fires allowed in outside pits, only gas pits are allowed. The ban on wood fires outside year-round is in the City code that has been in effect for a few years.

To assist with the safe disposal of charcoal ashes, free ash cans are available at all three of the South Lake Tahoe fire stations through a partnership with Langenfeld Ace Hardward.

Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District

Tahoe Douglas Fire serves Douglas County at Lake Tahoe and will follow the LTBMU Forest service order and institute a burn ban like last year. There is no wood, no charcoal, and no solid fuel fires. Propane can be used and pellet barbeques are allowed.

At outside fire pits, only gas can be used and no wood.

Fire Marshal Eric Guevin said that while grocery stores may sell firewood and charcoal, they cannot be used in the Tahoe Douglas Area. Their staff has been talking to stores to alert them, just as they did last year.

Besides Tahoe Douglas, charcoal and wood cannot be used in Meeks Bay, North Lake Tahoe, and Incline Village fire district areas.

Briquettes can hold heat for hours and even days, and can also be spread by wildlife, said Guevin. Many people may walk away from their cooking fire, thinking all is out when in fact, they could still be a source of fire.

"It's just too dangerous right now," said Guevin.

Lake Valley Fire Protection District

Lake Valley will be following the LTBMU rules as well. There is no wood, no charcoal, and no solid fuel fires allowed. Propane can be used as well as pellet barbeques.

This includes fire pits. Gas only is allowed.

USFS LTBMU new fire rules

Pursuant to 16 USC 551 and 36 CFR 261.50(a), and to provide for public safety and protect natural resources, the following acts are currently prohibited within the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit:

- Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, including charcoal briquettes and wood, on National Forest System lands. 36 CFR 261.52(a).
- Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material. 36 CFR 261.52(d).
- Operating an internal combustion engine off paved, gravel, or dirt National Forest System roads and trails, except within the Sand Pit Off-Highway Vehicle Area and boats on a water surface. 36 CFR 261.52(h).
- Welding or operating an acetylene torch with open flames. 36 CFR 261.52(i).

In addition to the restrictions listed above, possessing, discharging, or using any kind of firework, including sparklers and firecrackers, and any other pyrotechnic device is always prohibited.

Pursuant to 36 CFR 216.50 (e), persons with a valid Wilderness Permit or a California Campfire Permit may use a portable campfire pit, lantern, or stove that uses gas, kerosene, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel, with a shut-off valve, in an area at least three feet from any flammable materials. California Campfire Permits are free and available online at https://www.readyforwildfire.org/permits/campfire-permit/.

At the following National Forest beaches, campgrounds, and resorts, portable gas appliances with a shut-off valve are permitted without a California Campfire Permit: Baldwin, Meeks Bay, Nevada, Pope, and William Kent beaches; Fallen Leaf, Meeks Bay, Nevada, and William Kent campgrounds; and Camp Richardson, Meeks Bay, and Zephyr Cove resorts.

A violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both, 16 USC 551 and 18 USC 3559, 3571, and 3581.

To see the enhanced fire restriction for LTBMU, visit https://go.usa.gov/xVfjp. For more information on fire restrictions, visit https://go.usa.gov/xVDZw.

Information about private and state land fire restrictions, regulated by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CALFIRE), is available at https://burnpermit.fire.ca.gov/current-burn-status/ or from local fire districts.

North Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, North Tahoe Fire Districts

They are all enforcing the same rules as LTBMU - no solid fuel fires. In Incline Village and the North Lake Tahoe district, a permit is required for a gas fire pit apparatus.

For information on all Lake Tahoe Basin Fire Districts:

City of South Lake Tahoe - https://www.cityofslt.us/384/Fire and https://www.facebook.com/SouthLakeTahoeFireRescue

Tahoe Douglas - https://tahoefire.org/ and https://www.facebook.com/tahoefire

Lake Valley Fire - https://lakevalleyfire.org/ and https://www.facebook.com/LakeValleyFire

North Lake Tahoe - https://www.nltfpd.org/ and https://www.facebook.com/NorthLakeTahoeFire

North Tahoe/Meeks Bay - https://www.ntfire.net/ and https://www.facebook.com/NTFPD

U.S. Forest Service LTBMU - https://go.usa.gov/xVfjp and https://www.facebook.com/LakeTahoeUSFS