Jim, Tahoe National Forest Fire Restrictions went into effect July 1, 2024. These restrictions allow fire inside established campgrounds, no where else. Stage 2 restrictions (not yet in effect) will prohibit fires inside campgrounds.
FOREST ORDER No. 17-24-10
USDA FOREST SERVICE
PACIFIC SOUTHWEST REGION
Tahoe National Forest
Fire Restrictions
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) and (b), and to protect natural resources
and provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited within the Tahoe National Forest.
This Order is effective from July 1, 2024, at 5:00 PM PST through November 1, 2024.
1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, except within
a Developed Recreation Site listed in Exhibit A. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a).
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, within a Developed
Recreation Site listed in Exhibit A, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in
diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(d).
3. 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. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(h).
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
1. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire-fighting
force in the performance of an official duty.
2. Persons with a valid California Campfire Permit are not exempt from the prohibitions
listed above. However, persons with a valid California 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.
3. Persons engaged in Forest Products Removal (fuelwood) are not exempt from the
prohibitions listed above but may operate an internal combustion engine off National
Forest System roads and trails only to the extent necessary to cut fuelwood, provided
the cutting of fuelwood is done in compliance with daily Fire danger project activity
levels.
4. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or
Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order.
These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions contained in 36 C.F.R. Part 261,
Subpart A.
A violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an
individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both.
16 U.S.C. § 551 and 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.
Executed in Nevada City, California, this 1st day of July 2024 at 12:00 PM PST.
______________________________
Matthew Jedra
Acting Forest Supervisor
Tahoe National Forest
Pacific Southwest Region