NEVADA CITY, Calif., June 24, 2026 — Stage 1 fire restrictions will be implemented on Tahoe National Forest beginning June 26 due to increasing wildfire risk. Under these restrictions, campfires are permitted in provided fire rings or charcoal grills within Tahoe National Forest’s developed campgrounds and day-use sites, but not outside of those areas. Smoking and operating internal combustion engines off roads or trails is also restricted except in limited circumstances. 

“As fire danger escalates across the Tahoe National Forest, we urge individuals to exercise extreme caution when it comes to wildfire while visiting the forest,” said Tahoe National Forest Fire Management Officer Kyle Jacobson. “Tahoe National Forest is one of the busiest initial attack forests in California with human-caused wildfire starts being a driving factor. Over the Independence Day weekend, we plan to launch night-flying UAS to assist in identifying illegal campfires.” 

The Tahoe National Forest will fly UAS using infrared technology over areas of the forest that historically receive significant dispersed camping use. The purpose of this is to assist ground resources in quickly detecting unauthorized campfires as a wildfire prevention measure.  

Tahoe National Forest typically implements fire restrictions over several stages, becoming more restrictive as each stage progresses. Increasing restrictions is informed by predicted weather, fuel moisture, fire activity levels and available fire suppression resources.  

Under Stage 1 restrictions, the following activities are prohibited June 26 through Oct. 31, 2026: 

  • Building or maintaining a fire, campfire or charcoal briquette fire outside of provided fire rings or charcoal grills within designated developed campgrounds and picnic areas. 
  • Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a designated campground or recreation area, 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. 

Under these restrictions, individuals with a valid campfire permit are still welcome to use portable cooking stoves, propane campfires or lanterns in an area at least three feet from any flammable materials. The portable device must only burn gas, kerosene, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel and have a shut-off valve. Campfire permits are available online at permit.preventwildfiresca.org. 

Help protect our forests, firefighters and communities by following these principles when out on forested lands: 

  • Campfires: Attend your campfire at all times. Ensure your fire is completely extinguished—drown with water (NOT dirt), stir with your shovel, drown again and feel for any heat using the back of your hand. Continue this process until no heat remains. 
  • Stoves: If using pressurized or bottled liquid fuel stoves, lanterns, or heating devices with a valid California Campfire Permit, use in barren areas with at least 3 feet of clearance from grasses and other debris that may catch fire. Prevent stoves from tipping.  
  • Vehicles: When traveling, ensure your chains are properly connected. The hot underside of the vehicle and dragging chains can start a fire. Stick to driving on designated roads and trails and be careful to not park your car or OHV in tall, dry, vegetation, including grass. 
  • Spark Arrestors: Ensure that all internal or external combustion engines have a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order. 
  • Smoking: Extinguish all smoking materials dead out on bare soil. Pack out all cigarette butts and filters. 
  • Fireworks: Fireworks are prohibited on all national forests year-round, leave them and all other pyrotechnic devices at home. 

View the full fire restrictions forest order here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/tahoe/alerts/stage-1-fire-restrictions-0.