Tahoe National Forest enters Stage 2 fire restrictions Friday

Due to increasing fire danger, Tahoe National Forest is moving into Stage 2 fire restrictions Friday, Aug. 22.  

Under Stage 2 fire restrictions, the following are prohibited: 

• Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, except within a charcoal grill or fire ring provided within a recreation site maintained by a campground host. 
• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, within a recreation site maintained by a campground host, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.   
• Operating an internal combustion engine off paved, gravel or dirt National Forest System roads and trails, except within the Prosser Pits Developed Off-Highway Vehicle Area and boats on a water surface.   
• Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame. 

Individuals with a valid campfire permit may use a portable campfire ring/pit, stove, or lantern in an area at least three feet from any flammable materials provided that the portable campfire ring/pit, stove, or lantern only burns gas, kerosene, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel and has a with a shut-off valve. Campfire permits are free and available online at permit.preventwildfiresca.org or in-person at Tahoe National Forest Visitors Centers.  

“As we experience warming and dry weather conditions, increasing fire restrictions helps the forest reduce the likelihood of human-caused wildfires,” said Tahoe National Forest Fire Management Officer Kyle Jacobson. “So far this fire season, 82% of the fires on the forest have been human-caused.” 

Suspected wildfires can be reported by calling 911.  

Tahoe National Forest’s Stage 2 fire restrictions forest order and a list of designated recreations sites with a campground host is available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/tahoe/alerts/stage-2-fire-restrictions.