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.
Eldorado National Forest
U.S. Forest Service
100 Forni RD Placerville California 95667
Placerville, CA 95667
BAER Information
Phone: 707-853-4243
Hours: 8am-8pm
There are three phases of recovery following wildfires on federal lands:
– Fire Suppression Repair
– Emergency Stabilization-Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER)
– Long-Term Recovery and Restoration
o Fire Suppression Repair is a series of immediate post-fire actions taken to repair damages and minimize potential soil erosion and impacts resulting from fire suppression activities and usually begins before the fire is contained, and before the demobilization of an Incident Management Team. This work repairs the hand and dozer fire lines, roads, trails, staging areas, safety zones, and drop points used during fire suppression efforts.
o Emergency Stabilization-Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) is a rapid assessment of burned watersheds by a BAER team to identify imminent post-wildfire threats to human life and safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources on National Forest System lands and take immediate actions to implement emergency stabilization measures before the first post-fire damaging events. Fires result in loss of vegetation, exposure of soil to erosion, and increased water runoff that may lead to flooding, increased sediment, debris flows, and damage to critical natural and cultural resources. BAER actions such as: mulching, seeding, installation of erosion and water run-off control structures, temporary barriers to protect recovering areas, and installation of warning signs may be implemented. BAER work may also replace safety related facilities; remove safety hazards; prevent permanent loss of habitat for threatened and endangered species; prevent the spread of noxious weeds, and protect critical cultural resources.
o Long-Term Recovery and Restoration utilizes non-emergency actions to improve fire-damaged lands that are unlikely to recover naturally and to repair or replace facilities damaged by the fire that are not critical to life and safety. This phase may include restoring burned habitat, reforestation, other planting or seeding, monitoring fire effects, replacing burned fences, interpreting cultural sites, treating noxious weed infestations, and installing interpretive signs.
SPECIAL NOTE: Everyone near and downstream from the burned areas should remain alert and stay updated on weather conditions that may result in heavy rains over the burn scars. Flash flooding may occur quickly during heavy rain events-be prepared to take action. Current weather and emergency notifications can be found at the National Weather Service website: www.weather.gov/sto/.
