Lake Tahoe on wind and fire alert for Sunday
Expected strong winds to arrive on Sunday has the U.S. Forest Service asking Lake Tahoe fire agencies to be on alert for forest fires in the basin.
The wind, combined with virtually no snow or rain since November, has already pushed the fire danger level back to high. The Forest Service urges the public to use caution with activities that could start a fire.
"We are essentially back in fire season," said Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Fire Chief Kit Bailey. "We're asking the community to stay alert and keep wildfire prevention in mind as these strong winds approach, along with some of our driest weather on record for this time of year."
Most wildland fires in the Lake Tahoe Basin are human-caused, with only four of the 37 wildland fires in 2011 attributed to lightning. Illegal and abandoned campfires remain the number one cause, leading to 14 of the 37 fires last year.
Campfires and warming fires generally are not allowed on national forest system lands in the Lake Tahoe Basin, and when they are allowed, require a campfire permit. This winter, disposal of woodstove and fireplace ashes has also been a concern, leading to two wildland fires and a structure fire. Ashes can remain live and capable of starting a fire for several days. State and local fire agencies recommend placing ashes in a metal container, which should not be stored in the house or garage, or on any flammable surface, such as a deck. The ashes should cool for at least four days before disposal and any hot spots doused with water.
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