PR -- Fire restrictions by USFS in Lake Tahoe

Date: August 4, 2009

TAHOE BASIN FIRE RESTRICTIONS TAKE EFFECT AUGUST 6South Lake Tahoe Calif.-- The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit will begin fire restrictions on National Forest Lands on Thursday, August 6, 2009 and will maintain restrictions until further notice.

Campfires and charcoal fires will be limited to developed-fee campgrounds and developed day use recreation sites only. Such fires or charcoal fires must only be made in forest service-provided campfire rings or grills.

Fires including charcoal fires will be prohibited in all other semi-developed sites such as Luther Pass, Blackwood Canyon, and Watson Lake, as well as in all dispersed recreation areas. Forest users are urged to get specific information about the area they are visiting before venturing out. Call (530) 543-2694.

Fire restrictions limit conditions for smoking on National Forest Lands. Unless smoking takes place at a developed campsite or recreation site, all other smoking will be restricted to inside closed buildings and vehicles, or while stopped in areas cleared of burnable material at least 3 feet in diameter.

All residential burning in the Lake Tahoe Basin was suspended on July 15.
The restrictions will remain in effect until conditions moderate.Persons with valid fuelwood permits may continue to operate according to the terms of their permit, but are urged to use extra caution given the high fire danger. Permitted recreation residence owners may use charcoal or propane grills with a valid campfire permit and within the conditions of their special use permit. Organizational camps and resorts are exempt within the conditions of their special use permit. State and local regulations make the possession and use of all fireworks illegal within the Tahoe Basin year-round.

Full details of the restrictions and exemptions can be found at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/ltbmu/. For more information, call (530) 543-2694.
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