Tahoe National Forest Enters Stage 1 Restrictions Friday

TAHOE FOREST — Tahoe National Forest will enter Stage 1 fire restrictions on Friday, June 26, limiting campfires, smoking, and some off-road engine use as wildfire conditions rise across the forest. The restrictions are scheduled to remain in effect through Oct. 31 and apply across Tahoe National Forest lands.

Under Stage 1, visitors may still use campfires and charcoal fires in provided fire rings or charcoal grills at designated developed campgrounds and picnic areas. Campfires, charcoal briquette fires, and stove fires are prohibited outside listed recreation sites, meaning dispersed campers may not build or maintain campfires on open forest land.

“As fire danger escalates across the Tahoe National Forest, we urge individuals to exercise extreme caution when it comes to wildfire while visiting the forest,” Tahoe National Forest Fire Management Officer Kyle Jacobson said in a press release on Wednesday. “Tahoe National Forest is one of the busiest initial attack forests in California, with human-caused wildfire starts being a driving factor. Over the Independence Day weekend, we plan to launch night-flying UAS to assist in identifying illegal campfires.”

The forest plans to use night-flying unmanned aircraft systems, or drones, equipped with infrared technology over areas known for heavy dispersed camping use. Forest officials said the patrols are intended to help ground crews quickly detect unauthorized campfires before they become wildfires.

Smoking will also be restricted under the order. Smoking is allowed only inside an enclosed vehicle or building, within a designated campground or recreation area, or while stopped in an area at least three feet wide, cleared of all flammable material.

The order also restricts the use of internal combustion engines off paved, gravel, or dirt National Forest System roads and trails. Exceptions include the Prosser Pits Developed Off-Highway Vehicle Area and boats operating on a water surface.

A valid California Campfire Permit does not allow visitors to ignore the Stage 1 restrictions. However, permit holders may still use portable cooking stoves, propane campfires, or lanterns in an area at least three feet away from flammable material, as long as the device burns gas, kerosene, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel and has a shut-off valve. Campfire permits are available online at permit.preventwildfiresca.org.

Visitors using developed campgrounds should confirm whether their recreation site is listed in the forest order before starting a fire in a provided ring or grill. The order’s Exhibit A, available at https://tmmlink.com/zDpRJlE, lists approved recreation sites across the American River, Sierraville, Truckee, and Yuba River ranger districts.

Forest officials also reminded visitors to fully extinguish any legal campfire before leaving it. Campfires should be drowned with water, stirred with a shovel, drowned again, and checked with the back of a hand until no heat remains.

People traveling through the forest should ensure trailer chains are secured and avoid parking vehicles or off-highway vehicles in tall, dry grass or other vegetation. Internal and external combustion engines must have properly installed and maintained spark arrestors in effective working order.

Fireworks remain prohibited on all national forests year-round. Forest officials asked visitors to leave fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices at home.

Violations of the fire restrictions may carry penalties under federal law. The forest order states violations are punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 for an individual, $10,000 for an organization, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.