Effective Monday, June 17 the Truckee Fire Protection District announced a regional burn ban was in effect for the 2024 wildfire season.
The ban is a combined prevention effort among several regional fire agencies and will remain in effect until the fall.
Occasional red flag days will require additional restrictions.
The ban goes into effect concurrently with the CALFIRE restrictions on burning residential landscape debris.
Truckee Fire, local HOAs and regional fire chiefs have joined forces to agree that all visitors, residents and businesses within the Truckee Fire district boundaries must abide by the burn ban.
The few exceptions include designated state and federal campgrounds and day-use picnic areas with a valid permit, as well as permitted special events and commercial cooking operations.
All residential campfires, bonfires, charcoal barbeques and all outdoor cooking involving solid fuel (such as wood and lump charcoal grills) are prohibited throughout the Truckee Tahoe and greater Sierra Nevada communities.
Residents and visitors can use indoor gas devices including gas fire pits, gas barbecues, pellet barbecues (such as Traegers) and indoor fireplaces.
“The ban has had a dramatic impact on our fire prevention efforts,” said Truckee Fire Chief, Kevin McKechnie, “The reduction in fire-related events and risk to our district neighborhoods has been remarkable when this fire ban has been in place previously.”
According to the Western Fire Chiefs Association, humans cause nearly 90% of wildfires in the United States, a majority of which are not intentional.
Truckee Fire has experienced a several escaped fires caused by improper charcoal ash disposal and campfires.
Authorities advise that you check with your local fire district for additional details and restrictions, including red flag warnings over the summer.
