South Lake Tahoe, Calif. – Fire restrictions on National Forest System lands in the Lake Tahoe Basin started, July 1, 2015, and will remain in effect until the official end of fire season. Campfires will be restricted to certain exempted recreation sites and other fire-related activities will be prohibited. “Illegal and unattended campfires cause over 90 percent of wildfires in the Lake Tahoe Basin,” said fire management officer, Kit Bailey. “Increased fire danger due to the ongoing drought and warmer weather is a big concern in Lake Tahoe. Fire restrictions will help reduce the possibility of human caused fires.”

On National Forest System lands, fire restrictions mean:

· No open fires, campfires or charcoal fires will be allowed outside of exempted recreation sites (see attached list) even with a valid campfire permit. Campfires must be built within agency installed and approved fire rings or grills. Lanterns and portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed as long as the forest visitor has a valid California Campfire Permit available at http://www.preventwildfireca.org/Campfire-Permit or from Forest Service offices during normal business hours (M-F; 8-4:30).

· No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, building or exempted recreation site.

· Internal combustion engines are restricted to National Forest System roads, routes, trails, and areas as identified on the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Motor Vehicle Use Map at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/ltbmu/TravelManagement.

· No possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device, using an explosive or operating a welding or other torch with an open flame. Fireworks, including sparklers, are always illegal in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

· No welding, or operating acetylene or any other torch with an open flame.

The fire restriction Forest Order is available at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/ltbmu/ForestOrders.

For more information on fire restrictions, call the Forest Supervisor’s office at 530-543-2694, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., or the Taylor Creek Visitor Center at 530-543-2674 (weekends and holidays).

Information about private land fire restrictions, regulated by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CALFIRE), is available at http://www.calfire.ca.gov.