2022 Fire Season Declared

May 31st, 2022

North Tahoe Fire and Meeks Bay Fire Protection Districts Prohibit ALL Open Burning and Recreational Fires

Tahoe City, Calif. May 31, 2022 – On May 19, 2022, CALFIRE NEU suspended burn permits for the season, and on Monday, May 24, 2022 CALFIRE AEU followed suit, resulting in full suspension of residential burn permits in the Tahoe Basin. These are the triggers that prompt North Tahoe Fire Protection District (NTFPD), Meeks Bay Fire Protection District (MBFPD), and Alpine Springs County Water District (ASCWD) to activate local fire restrictions that suspend the outdoor burning of solid fuels, including wood and charcoal. The suspension takes effect Wednesday, June 1, 2022, and remains in effect for the duration of fire season.  

Following the adoption of the 2019 Fire Code, ONLY Natural Gas (NG) or Propane (LPG) outdoor firepits and barbecues, and pellet grills/smokers are allowed year-round except during Red Flag/critical fire weather conditions. All of these appliances must be utilized following manufacturer’s recommendations. Open-flame devices such as tiki torches and all fireworks, including sparklers and firecrackers, are illegal in California year-round. For reports of hazardous/illegal camp fires, people should call 9-1-1, and illegal firework activity should be reported to local law enforcement.

“Following the driest January through March on record, we are left facing dry fuels early in the season with above-normal fire activity expected in the region,” said NTFPD Fire Chief Steve Leighton. “We ask our residents and visitors to follow our seasonal ban on the outdoor burning of wood and charcoal, in addition to doing the work that makes homes resistant to embers to help us protect this beautiful place. Our firefighters have been working hard this spring to train and prepare for fire season, but as we witnessed last year in Christmas Valley, it takes all of us working together throughout the season to make Tahoe Wildfire Ready."