Fire regulations continue to tighten in Truckee. The area is under a California Residential Burn Ban and there is also a Campfire Ban. The Campfire Ban isn't new but this year there's more restrictions.
For many people, warm weather means it's time to once again cook over a wood or charcoal fire. The Truckee Fire Protection District however, started a Campfire Ban on Monday, preventing homeowners from using charcoal or wood grills, briquette based smokers and flavored wood shavings on private property.
“We've seen in recent years with the Paradise fire, and Napa Sonoma fire. We don't want to put our community at risk to have our burger taste a little better from charcoal,” said Truckee Fire Protection District Public Information Officer Nick Brown.
Residential wood bonfires and fire pits are also banned.“People think that they douse a fire with water, and it’s out. But the next morning when it gets a little heat on it, temperature picks up a bit, and wind picks up on those fire remnants. We end up getting an escaped campfire,” said Brown.
The fire district enacted the Campfire Ban early in the warm weather months, to be pro-active in keeping down wildfires. “Over the last 5 years, we've seen over 50 fires started specifically by improper disposal of charcoal or wood remnants from a wood campfire or charcoal barbecue,” said Brown.Charcoal was added to the ban, because a number of those fires were started by improperly disposed charcoal chards. This doesn't however mean that summer grilling is out completely. “What is still allowed is gas appliances. Like fire pits, gas barbecues, and anything that is supplied by propane or natural gas,” said Brown.
There are areas that are not under the Camp Fire Ban in Truckee. Those include: businesses, community picnic areas, and events that can apply for permits to be exempt. Campgrounds and day-use public picnic areas are also excluded.
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