Fire Information Line: 530-543-2816 (24-hour recorded message)
National Forest lands in the Lake Tahoe Basin are under year-round campfire restrictions. Campfires (wood, charcoal or any other solid fuels) are only permitted within permanently installed iron rings in campgrounds listed in Exhibit A of the Forest Order.
Campfires are not allowed in Desolation Wilderness or Meiss Country; along the Pacific Crest or Tahoe Rim trails; in rock fire rings; on National Forest beaches, day-use or picnic areas, trails or trailheads; or in the general forest.
Unless restricted, portable stoves and appliances with on/off switches or valves are permitted with a valid permit.
For local and state fire restrictions, visit the Interactive Fire Restriction Map.
Forest Order No. 19-24-04
USDA Forest Service
Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit
Campfire Restrictions
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), and to protect natural resources, the following act is prohibited within the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. This Order is effective from June 28, 2024, through December 1, 2027.
Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, except within the permanently installed campfire pits and barbeque grills located in the areas listed in Exhibit A and shown on Exhibit B. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a).
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
- 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.
- Persons with a valid Wilderness Permit or California Campfire Permit are not exempt from the prohibitions listed above, however, persons with a valid California campfire permit may use a portable campfire pit, stove, or lantern that uses gas, kerosene, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel as the only fuel source.
- Any Federal, State or local officer, or member of an organization rescue or fire-fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions found 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 six months, or both.
16 U.S.C. § 551 and 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.
Done at South Lake Tahoe, California, this 26th day of June, 2024.
Erick Walker
Forest Supervisor
Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit
Forest Order No. 19-24-04
USDA Forest Service
Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit
Campfire Restrictions
Exhibit A
- Berkeley Camp
- Blackwood Campground
- Camp Concord
- Camp Richardson Resort Campgrounds
- Camp Richardson Stables
- Camp Shelly
- Fallen Leaf Campground
- Kaspian Campground
- Luther Campground
- Meeks Bay Campground
- Meeks Bay Resort and Campground
- Nevada Beach Campground
- Nevada Beach Day Use Area
- Zephyr Cove Resort Campground
- Watson Lake Campground
- William Kent Campground
- William Kent Day Use Area
Camp Observer
