Due to increasing fire danger, Tahoe National Forest is moving into Stage 2 fire restrictions Friday, Aug. 22.  

Under Stage 2 fire restrictions, the following are prohibited: 

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. 

Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, within a recreation site maintained by a campground host, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.   

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.   

Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame. 

Individuals with a valid 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. Campfire permits are free and available online at permit.preventwildfiresca.org or in-person at Tahoe National Forest Visitors Centers.  

“As we experience warming and dry weather conditions, increasing fire restrictions helps the forest reduce the likelihood of human-caused wildfires,” said Tahoe National Forest Fire Management Officer Kyle Jacobson. “So far this fire season, 82% of the fires on the forest have been human-caused.” 

Suspected wildfires can be reported by calling 911.  

Tahoe National Forest’s Stage 2 fire restrictions forest order and a list of designated recreations sites with a campground host is available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/tahoe/alerts/stage-2-fire-restrictions.