Effective Saturday, June 1, 2013, residential burn permits will be suspended for Nevada, Placer, and Yuba Counties and fire restrictions will go into effect in the Tahoe National Forest announced both Brad Harris, CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit Chief and Tom Quinn, Tahoe National Forest Supervisor. “Despite the recent, light rain, conditions in the foothills and the high country remain unseasonably dry for this time of year. Warming temperatures, dry winds, and very dry fuel moisture levels have prompted this early fire season response,” stated Quinn. “We have already seen fire activity that is not normally observed until late July or August. The unusual lack of rain this past winter and spring, prompted the early burn ban and fire restrictions,” said Chief Harris.
Beginning June 1, the burn permit suspension applies to areas in Nevada, Yuba and Placer counties that fall within state responsibility area and local jurisdiction under contract with CAL FIRE. Anyone who burns in violation of the suspension will be subject to appropriate civil or criminal action and could face cost recovery charges for the fire suppression response. All fires or smoke reported will be considered a wildfire and a full suppression response will be dispatched to the scene.
In the Tahoe National Forest, beginning June 1, campfires are not permitted in the backcountry but only in developed campgrounds and other designated sites (in the metal rings/grills provided). Portable stoves, including those that use gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are permitted in backcountry areas with a valid campfire permit. Propane-type Bar-B-Q’s can be used outside designated sites where camping is permitted, but charcoal Bar-B-Q’s can only be used in designated campgrounds. Smoking is only permitted in an enclosed vehicle or developed recreation site. Internal combustion engines, including off highway vehicles (OHV’s) can continue to be operated on roads or motorized trails and within the Prosser Pits OHV area. The personal wood cutting program will continue to operate, as long as individuals have a valid woodcutting permit and follow the conditions on the permit. Campfire permits are free and are available at all Forest Service, BLM, or CAL FIRE offices.
Please check with the appropriate agency for current restrictions when planning to visit any forest, park or open space for the remainder of the summer. For more information on these restrictions, visit the TNF website at www.fs.usda.gov/tahoe or the Forest Service office nearest you. Offices are located in Sierraville (530) 994-3401, Truckee (530) 587-3558, Camptonville (530) 288-3231, Foresthill (530) 367-2224, and Nevada City (530) 265-4531.
Although residential landscape debris burning will no longer be allowed, residents must be prepared as the ever-present danger of destructive wildfires is a reality for many living in California. Defensible space around your home helps firefighters defend your property. By simply completing these steps, homeowners can dramatically increase the chances of their home surviving a wildfire:
- Remove all flammable vegetation 30 feet from all structures
- In an additional 70 feet, create a reduced fuel zone by spacing trees and plants from each other.
- Clear all needles and leaves from roofs, eaves, and rain gutters.
- Trim branches six feet from the ground.
- Remove branches 10 feet from all chimneys.
- Landscape with fire resistant plants
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