Red Flag Warnings and National Fire Danger Rating System
We can all prevent wildfire!
Contact: Eric Guevin, Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District 775-588-3591 or Lisa Herron, USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit 530-721-3898
LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev., July 21, 2022 – Fire season is year-round. In the past, wildfires normally occurred in late summer and early fall when temperatures were high, humidity was low and vegetation extremely dry. Local, state, and federal fire managers now know that devastating wildfires can occur any time of year. Over 90 percent of wildfires are caused by people and are completely preventable. Fire prevention education is the key to keeping our communities and forests safe from unwanted wildland fires.
Lake Tahoe Basin, California and Nevada fire restrictions are implemented by fire and land management agencies to help keep our communities and forests safe during conditions that lead to increased wildfire danger. In addition, the National Weather Service (NWS) issues Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches to alert fire departments, fire districts, and the public about critical fire weather conditions that have the potential to cause wildfires to grow rapidly in size and intensity before first responders can contain them. The NWS issues Red Flag Warnings when strong gusty winds combine with very dry air, or when thunderstorms with little to no rainfall are expected. Below is an explanation of the differences between a Fire Weather Watch and a Red Flag Warning.
Fire Weather Watch – declared when critical fire weather conditions could develop over the next 2-4 days. A watch is issued when forecasters have reasonable confidence that critical conditions will develop at longer lead times.
Red Flag Warning – declared for weather events which may result in critical fire weather conditions that may occur within the next 24-48 hours. A Red Flag Warning is the highest alert. During these conditions, extreme caution is urged because a simple spark can cause a major wildfire.
During Red Flag conditions in the Lake Tahoe Basin, all open flames including propane are banned to prevent major wildfires from happening.
In addition to Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches, the National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) allows fire managers to estimate the daily fire danger for a given area. NFDRS uses five different color-coded adjective ratings to help the public understand fire potential. These signs are placed in key locations to alert the public about current fire danger and are most often associated with roadside Smokey Bear signs. Below is an explanation of the different fire danger adjective ratings.
Fire Danger Level: Low (Green)
Vegetation that can feed a wildfire does not ignite easily from small embers, but a more intense heat source, such as lightning, may start fires in duff or dry rotten wood. Fires in open, dry grasslands may burn easily, but most wood fires will spread slowly, creeping or smoldering. Control of fires is generally easy.
Fire Danger Level: Moderate (Blue)
Fires can start from most accidental causes, but the number of fire starts is typically low. If a fire starts in an open, dry grassland, it will burn and spread quickly on windy days. Most wood fires will spread slowly to moderately. Average fire intensity will be moderate except in heavy concentrations of vegetation, which may burn hot. Fires are still not likely to become serious and are often easy to control.
Fire Danger Level: High (Yellow)
Fires can start easily from most causes and small vegetation (such as grasses and needles) will ignite readily. Unattended campfires and brush fires are likely to escape. Fires will spread easily, with some areas of high intensity burning on slopes or concentrated vegetation. Fires can become serious and difficult to control unless they are put out while small.
Fire Danger Level: Very High (Orange)
Fires will start easily from most causes. The fires will spread rapidly and have a quick increase in intensity, right after ignition. Small fires can quickly become large fires and exhibit extreme fire behavior, such as long-distance spotting and fire whorls. These fires can be difficult to control and will often become much larger and longer-lasting fires.
Fire Danger Level: Extreme (Red)
Fires of all types start quickly and burn intensely. All fires are potentially serious and can spread very quickly with intense burning. Small fires become big fires much faster than at the “very high” level. Spot fires are probable, with long-distance spotting likely. These fires are very difficult to fight and may become very dangerous and often last for several days, weeks or months.
It’s vital that everyone in the Lake Tahoe Basin educates themselves about wildfire prevention and preparedness. Share learned information with family and friends, and always take steps to prevent a wildfire from sparking. Together, we can prevent the next wildfire. For links to Red Flag Warnings and Fire Danger Ratings, and tips for preventing and learning to live with wildfire, visit TahoeLivingWithFire.
Contact: USDA Forest Service, Lisa Herron (530) 721-3898
LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev., June 30, 2022– Fire restrictions are in effect on local, state, and federal lands in the Lake Tahoe Basin. With California and Nevada once again experiencing severe drought conditions and increased wildfire danger, it’s more important than ever to understand and follow these fire restrictions for the safety of our communities and forests.
In a recent seven-year period, more than 350 wildfire ignitions were recorded in the Tahoe Basin, and more than 80 percent of these ignitions were due to illegal or unattended campfires.
“Please take the time to know and understand the fire restrictions where you are camping or staying and make sure that all wood and charcoal fires are completely extinguished before you leave,” said USDA Forest Service Fire Chief, Carrie Thaler. “We are all in this together and we need to work together to prevent another devastating wildfire in the Tahoe Basin and in any other communities.”
National Forests
Enhanced fire restrictions are in effect on National Forest lands at Lake Tahoe. Wood and charcoal fires are only permitted within provided metal fire rings and grills in campgrounds with an onsite host. Unless restricted, portable stoves with on/off valves are allowed with a valid CA Campfire Permit. View the Forest Service fire restrictions webpage and read forest order.
State Parks
Fire restrictions are also in effect on state lands in both California and Nevada at Lake Tahoe.
In California State Parks, wood and charcoal fires are permitted within metal fire rings and grills in the campgrounds by registered campers. No wood or charcoal fires are permitted in day-use areas. Unless restricted, portable stoves are allowed in the campgrounds and day-use areas. View California State Park (SP) fire restrictions: D.L. Bliss SP, Emerald Bay SP, Sugar Pine Point SP, and Tahoe State Recreation Area.
In Nevada State Parks, wood and charcoal fires are not permitted. Unless restricted, portable stoves are allowed. View Nevada State Park fire restrictions.
Residential burning in the Tahoe Basin portions of California and Nevada is prohibited until further notice.
Homes and Rentals
Fire restrictions are in effect on private property at Lake Tahoe as determined by local fire districts and municipalities. Generally, wood and charcoal BBQs, firepits and chimineas are not permitted on private property during fire restrictions. Some districts may allow wood and charcoal with a valid permit. Unless restricted, liquid petroleum gas, natural gas, propane, and pellet firepits and BBQs are allowed. To find your local fire district or municipality, view the map on the Tahoe Living With Fire website. Then visit the corresponding website to check private property fire restrictions in your district or municipality.
Please keep in mind all sources of open flames are prohibited during Red Flag Warnings and critical fire weather conditions. To check if a Red Flag Warning has been issued, visit the National Weather Service fire weather website.
We can all prevent wildfires. If you see something, say something. All illegal fire activity, including any contained/controlled fire in violation of seasonal fire restrictions, should be reported to 911 immediately.
As a reminder, all personal use fireworks are illegal in the Lake Tahoe Basin because of the wildfire danger they pose to our communities and forests. Leave the personal use fireworks at home and attend one of the professional fireworks or drone displays over Lake Tahoe instead. For information on public shows, please view Visit Lake Tahoe and Go Tahoe North.
The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT) consists of representatives of Tahoe Basin fire agencies, CAL FIRE, Nevada Division of Forestry and related state agencies, University of California and Nevada Cooperative Extensions, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, the USDA Forest Service, conservation districts from both states, the California Tahoe Conservancy, and the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board. Our Mission is to protect lives, property and the environment within the Lake Tahoe Basin from wildfire by implementing prioritized fuels reduction projects and engaging the public in becoming a Fire Adapted Community.
The Lake Valley Fire Protection District has activated local fire restrictions and has suspended the outdoor burning of solid fuels as of June 1, 2022. ONLY Natural Gas (NG) or Propane (LPG) outdoor fire pits and barbecues, and pellet grills/smokers are allowed. The ban remains in effect for the duration of the fire season.
Enjoy your Tahoe summer safely with family and friends and BE FIRE SAFE. For more information, contact us at (530) 577-3737.
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), and to protect natural resources, the following acts are prohibited within the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. This Order is effective from June 27, 2021, through June 27, 2024.
Camping, except in the areas described on Exhibit A for no more than 14 days in a calendar year in total, as shown on Exhibit 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(e).
Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, except within the areas listed on Exhibit B. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a).
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order.
Persons with a valid California Campfire Permit are not exempt from the prohibitions listed above, however, persons with a valid California campfire permit may use a portable campfire pit, stove, or lantern that uses gas, kerosene, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel.
Any Federal, State or local officer, or member of an organization rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions found in 36 C.F.R. § Part 261, Subpart A.
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 U.S.C. § 551 and 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.
Done at South Lake Tahoe, California, this 24th day of June, 2021.
_____________________________
Gwen Sanchez
Acting Forest Supervisor
Exhibit A
Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit
Camp Richardson Resort and Campground
Fallen Leaf Campground
Bayview Campground
Meeks Bay Campground
Meeks Bay Resort
Within 300 feet of the McKinney-Rubicon Springs Road (Forest Road No. 14N34), from its intersection with the Off-Highway Vehicle Staging Area, then west to its intersection with the boundary of the Tahoe National Forest.
Buck Lake
Kaspian Campground
Blackwood Canyon Campground
Watson Lake Campground
Within 300 feet of the Tahoe Rim Trail.
Within 300 feet of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, from its intersection with the southern boundary of the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, then north to its intersection with the northern boundary of the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.
Zephyr Cove Campground
Nevada Beach Campground
Luther Campground
Meiss Management Area
Mount Rose Wilderness
Within 300 feet of Genoa Peak Road (Forest Road No. 14N32), from its intersection with White Hill Spur Road (Forest Road No. 14N32A), then south to its second intersection with Logan House Loop Road (Forest Road No.14N33).
William Kent Campground
Within the Desolation Wilderness with a valid Wilderness Permit.
Many hazards exist including fire-weakened trees, burned stump holes and missing trail signs
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif., March 31, 2022 – The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) reminds recreationists to use caution when recreating in the 2021 Caldor Fire area. Residents and visitors should be aware of their surroundings and use common sense when recreating in the burn area. Burned landscapes present numerous safety hazards for recreationists that either did not exist prior to the fire or have been worsened by the effects of the fire.
“Risks to those choosing to recreate in the Caldor Fire burn area will continue to evolve over the next several years,” said Public Services Staff Officer, Daniel Cressy. “Always practice responsible recreation and be aware of your surroundings including wind and other weather conditions, which can weaken fire-damaged trees.”
No area closures are in currently place on the LTBMU. All trailheads and trails in the burned area are open, however multiple hazards may exist. Hikers, mountain bikers and others venturing into the burn area should be prepared to navigate without visible trails or trail signs and be sure to bring along a map, GPS app or device. Practice good stewardship by staying on trails because without live plant roots to anchor the soil, burned soil can easily be worn away.
In addition, please keep the following in mind:
Flash Floods/Debris Flows: Fast-moving, highly destructive flash floods and debris flows triggered by intense rainfall are one of the most dangerous post-fire hazards. The risk of floods and debris flows after a wildfire increases due to vegetation loss and soil exposure. Always avoid recreating in post-fire areas during rain events. If caught unaware, move to high ground. Never attempt to drive or hike through an area that has been flooded or if debris flows have occurred. These types of events hide dips in roads or trails and other obstacles. Worse still, there may not be a road or trail at all. Flooding and debris flows can wash away entire roads or trail surfaces and a significant amount of ground underneath.
Damaged or Dead Trees: After a wildfire, many trees are weakened from burning around the base of the trunk. These trees can fall over, blow down, or drop limbs without warning. Shallow-rooted trees can also fall. Therefore, always be extremely alert when recreating around burned trees, especially after rain events or during high winds. Never picnic, camp, or park a vehicle close to dead trees. Look up while on trails and if the wind kicks up, head to a clearing out of reach of any potential falling trees.
Burned Stump Holes/Root Chambers: Burned stumps may create obvious large holes, but these holes may be bigger than they appear. In many cases, the fire may have traveled through root chambers and consumed the woody root material leaving hollow spaces where solid wood used to be. Overtime, these root chambers will collapse. A person’s body, mountain bike or vehicle weight may cause these chambers to collapse, potentially opening a hole. Large trees have particularly big root chambers that can be very deep. Be especially wary after rain events as the moisture may travel through the root chambers and make collapse easier.
For additional information on the LTBMU, please visit our website or follow us on Facebook and/or Twitter.
For information about open and closed Caldor Fire areas on the Eldorado National Forest, visit their website.
Eric Guevin, Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District, 775-815-0972
LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev.– As the community celebrates 100 percent containment of the Caldor Fire, firefighters are sharing lessons learned from the fight to protect neighborhoods in Christmas Valley, Meyers, and South Lake Tahoe in a new bilingual video and a special issue of Tahoe In Depth newspaper: Lessons from the Caldor Fire | Lecciones del fuego Caldor | Tahoe In Depth
Firefighters from Lake Valley Fire Protection District, City of South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue and other local, state and federal firefighting agencies noted that in the months and weeks prior to the fire, residents took important steps that helped save their homes: moving firewood away from homes, cleaning up pine needles, and preparing for a potential evacuation.
“It was inspiring to see that residents did what they could to help us help them. It really made a difference,” says Kim George, a fire captain with City of South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue.
In the new video, Kim George and Martin Goldberg, an engineer with Lake Valley Fire Protection District, share three key steps that residents can accomplish to help firefighters increase the odds of protecting homes at Lake Tahoe:
Maintain Defensible Space:Clear the first 0-5 feet of your home (Ember Resistant Zone) of wood mulch, pine needles, twigs, and other flammable vegetation. Keep the next 5-30 feetLean, Clean, and Green by removing dead and dying vegetation, spacing trees and shrubs, and keeping plants well-irrigated. Maintain a Reduced Fuel Zone of 30-100 + feet by thinning dense stands of trees and shrubs and removing dead plant material, low-hanging tree branches, and other ladder fuels.
Harden Your Home Against Embers:Reduce your home’s vulnerability to wildfire embers by clearing pine needles and debris from gutters, roofs, and decks. Place one-eighth inch metal mesh screens over vents, and install ignition-resistant roofing, non-combustible siding, and enclosed eaves.
Stay Prepared and Stay Informed:Be prepared for an evacuation by registering for your and neighboring counties’ emergency alert systems, packing an evacuation Go-Bag in advance, and making an evacuation plan with your family, friends, and neighbors.
In addition to the video, Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team partners contributed to a special Caldor Fire issue of the environmental newspaper, Tahoe In Depth, to capture the events of the fire and to describe the critical role of forest fuel reduction—including forest thinning and the use of prescribed fire—and wildfire preparedness now and into the future.
“Prolonged droughts and extreme wildfires have become a fact of life in the Sierra Nevada. We just lived through it with the Caldor Fire, and we can improve our odds of withstanding the next wildfire,” says Kim George.
The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT) consists of representatives of Tahoe Basin fire agencies, CAL FIRE, Nevada Division of Forestry and related state agencies, University of California and Nevada Cooperative Extensions, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, the USDA Forest Service, conservation districts from both states, the California Tahoe Conservancy and the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board. Our Mission is to protect lives, property and the environment within the Lake Tahoe Basin from wildfire by implementing prioritized fuels reduction projects and engaging the public in becoming a Fire Adapted Community.
