South Lake Tahoe, Calif., –The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit will lift fire restrictions on National Forest System lands beginning Friday, October 3, 2014. “Although fire restrictions will be lifted on Friday, remember campfires are never allowed in the Desolation Wilderness,” said Forest Service fire management officer Kit Bailey.

Campfires are now allowed with a valid California campfire permit in the following areas: Luther Pass, Blackwood Canyon and Watson Lake campgrounds, as well as in the Meiss roadless area. For areas where campfires are allowed, make sure you completely extinguish your fire by drowning with plenty of water, thoroughly stirring and feeling for heat; if it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave.

For more information about fire restrictions and how to obtain a campfire permit, call the Forest Supervisor’s office in South Lake Tahoe at (530) 543-2694. To learn more about residential burning, contact CAL FIRE or your local fire department or fire protection district.