Fire Prevention Information
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Once fuel conditions reach a danger point, the Forest Service and other agencies may impose additional restrictions on
activities that might start fires. Check to see what the current regulations are before you head out to enjoy your day
outdoors.
This should not even require a reminder, yet I frequently see people toss cigarettes out their car
windows. Dispose of butts in your car's ashtray or a bottle of water. If you're smoking outdoors, make sure you have a
three-foot clearance from anything flammable and grind the cigarette out in the dirt, not on a log or stump. Do not leave
butts behind as litter.
Where campfires are allowed, make sure yours is completely out when you're finished. This means using water or dirt to
extinguish the fire and making sure the ashes are cold to the touch before you leave. Remember, fires are not allowed on
Forest Service beaches or in the general forest.
Remember that fireworks and sparklers are illegal in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Enjoy a public fireworks display rather than
creating a wildfire risk by setting off your own.
Follow local ordinances on their use. Grills should be located away from structures. For gas grills, make sure to turn
off the knobs and the propane bottle when you're done. For charcoal grills, make sure the briquettes are cold. Do not
throw them away in garbage cans unless they are completely out.
Such as chain saws or blowers, or operating vehicles such as tractors or motorcycles. Don't operate vehicles with
internal combustion engines on National Forest System roads and trails when restrictions are in place.
Currently, a residential burn ban is in effect for both the California and Nevada sides of the Lake Tahoe Basin due to
warm, dry weather. When residential burning is allowed, make sure to do it safely. Check with your local fire department
the day of the burn to confirm that the weather conditions are favorable. Burn in a cleared area, and never walk away from
the fire.
The Ad Council, working with the Forest Service, has just released a new series of Smokey Bear ads that seek to
reach the younger generation with a fire prevention message.
Visit www.smokeybear.com
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