Effective Thursday and until further notice, the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District (TMFPD) has prohibited all outdoor recreational and cooking fires, with the exception of propane, electric, and pellet-fueled barbecues.
In accordance with Section 307.1.1 of the adopted fire code, the restrictions include the use of charcoal briquettes, fire pits, campfires, bonfires, and any outdoor wood-burning appliances.
The measures are in line with fire safety actions announced by federal fire agencies serving western Nevada.
Additional restrictions include a ban on outdoor smoking, welding, operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame, and using chainsaws or similar internal combustion engine-powered equipment between 1:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m. each day.
Fireworks, tracer ammunition, and exploding targets remain illegal year-round in Washoe County.
Authorities advise against shooting activities at this time, particularly involving steel-tipped ammunition.
Officials say the restrictions are necessary due to ongoing unseasonable heat and dry wildland fuels in the region.
Washoe County has already experienced several wildland fires, and conditions have made fire containment increasingly difficult.
According to TMFPD, “As these activities could create or add to a hazardous situation, in accordance with Section 307.3 of the adopted fire code, TMFPD personnel have the authority to extinguish such fires on any property within the Fire District, and to issue citations for violating these restrictions as well as potential citation or arrest for disobeying, resisting, interfering, or any conduct likely to interfere with the extinguishment of the fire (NRS 475.070).”
Residents may also be held financially responsible if found to have started a fire in violation of the restrictions.
TMFPD notes, “Residents must understand that if they are found responsible for starting a fire that involves their disregard for these restrictions, they may be held responsible for the total cost of fighting the fire (NRS 474.550).”
