SIERRA, SURROUNDING COUNTIES — On Friday, September 27th, the Plumas National Forest shifted from Stage II to Stage I Fire Restrictions. Campfires will be allowed in specific designated recreation sites and within established campfire rings. Smoking will now be allowed within an enclosed building or vehicle or an area clear of flammable material in a 3-foot diameter. Internal combustion engines are permitted on designated roads and trails. A Plumas National Forest press release at https://bit.ly/47P5BRm lists other restrictions and exemptions.

The Tahoe National Forest, however, remains in Stage III Fire Restrictions, prohibiting all fire within the forest. Conditions remain warm and dry, with little to mitigate the risk of fire spread. Restrictions were implemented in July and have been renewed through November 29th (though they will likely be lifted earlier as temperatures and fire danger decrease). Sierra County’s fire restriction ordinance remains activated by the Tahoe National Forest’s restrictions, disallowing all outdoor fires on private and county-owned land except for some cooking appliances and personal heating devices in a perimeter of non-combustible material.