PR -- Residential burn ban in affect

Date: July 9, 2009 Contact: Public Affairs, Cheva Heck 530-543-2608 or Rex Norman 530-543-2627
RESIDENTIAL BURNING BAN TO TAKE EFFECT IN THE LAKE TAHOE BASIN South Lake Tahoe, Calif:-- The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit's Forest Fire Chief will suspend residential burning, also known as "dooryard burning" effective, July 15. These residential burn bans will include both California and Nevada communities throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin. Warm and dry weather has finally moved into the basin this season, and fire protection officials made the move to end dooryard burning due to increased risks in and near residential areas. This burn ban is for residential burns only, and does not prevent federal, state and local fire managers from conducting needed prescribed fire work for fuels reduction on public lands. Prescribed fire work is conducted by fully equipped professional wildland firefighting crews, under favorable weather conditions. The residential burn ban will remain in effect until temperatures, winds and humidity allow for safer conditions.
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