TNF Stage Two Fire Restrictions

Posted: August 25, 2025 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

The Tahoe National Forest has implemented Stage two fire restrictions. For us, that means no welding.

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https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/tahoe/alerts/stage-2-fire-restrictions

Forest Order

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), and to provide for public safety and protect natural resources, the following acts are prohibited on National Forest System lands within or administered by the Tahoe National Forest. This Order is effective from August 22, 2025, through October 31, 2025.

1. 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 listed in Exhibit A. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a).

2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, within a recreation site maintained by a campground host 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(g).

4. Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame. 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 20th day of August, 2025

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Be safe out there.

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Rubicon Ronin

Fire Restrictions Lifted

Posted: October 7, 2023 | Author: | Filed under: Access, Travel | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

Both the Tahoe National Forest and the Eldorado National Forest have lifted fire restrictions.

TNF: “Fire restrictions on the Tahoe National Forest have ended, effective today, Oct. 2, 2023.”

ENF: “Due to cooler weather conditions and above average fuel moisture levels, the Eldorado National Forest will lift fire restrictions order 03-23-11 effective Friday October 6th, 2023.”

The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit has year-round fire restrictions. Fires are only ever allowed in official USFS fire rings in USFS official campgrounds.

Just because the fire restrictions have been lifted, it doesn’t mean there is no risk to a wildfire. Campfire permits are still required.

This is an image I never want to see again. This was the North Fire five years ago in the TNF.

From the Smokey Bear website:

  • Make sure you are at a site that allows campfires.
  • Make sure there are no burn bans and it’s not too windy.
  • Dig a pit away from overhanging branches.
  • Circle the pit with rocks.
  • Clear a 10-foot area around the pit down to the dirt, removing anything that could catch on fire.
  • Stack extra wood upwind and away from fire.
  • After lighting, throw the match into the fire.
  • Never leave a campfire unattended; an adult should supervise the campfire at all times.
  • Keep a bucket of water and shovel nearby.
  • Never put anything but wood into the fire.
  • Do not pull sticks out of the fire.
  • Do not sit on the fire ring or rocks around the campfire. They will heat up quickly and they’ll stay hot for a long time.
  • When it’s time to put the fire out, dump lots of water on it, stir it with a shovel, then dump more water on it. Make sure it is COLD before leaving the campsite. If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave!

The question I will ask is: “Do you have a plan for putting the fire out?” And that goes for a fire that stayed in the fire ring and for the fire that somehow got out of your fire ring.

Do you have a shovel, staged at the fire ring? Do you have a container filled with water at the fire ring? Do you have a plan to refill that container because I don’t care how big that container is, you will have to refill it many, many times to completely put out the fire until the fire coals are cool to the touch.

Be safe.

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Rubicon Ronin

Tahoe National Forest Fire Restrictions

Posted: July 31, 2023 | Author: | Filed under: Access, Travel | Tags: , | Leave a comment

As promised, the Tahoe National Forest (TNF), starting tomorrow, will have fore restrictions in place.

tnf-frDownload

Please be safe out there.

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Rubicon Ronin