Don't even think about it: Personal use fireworks illegal in Carson City, Lake Tahoe Basin

Personal use fireworks are illegal to use or possess in Carson City, Lake Tahoe Basin and surrounding counties, including sparklers and so-called “safe and sane” fireworks. As you enjoy your holiday, leave fireworks to the professionals by attending one of the many public displays around Carson City and Lake Tahoe.

The Lake Tahoe ban on personal use fireworks comes with good reason, fireworks are dangerous and cause thousands of emergency room visits per year. Sparklers alone, which burn at 1200 degrees Fahrenheit, caused 41 percent of firework related injuries in 2013.

The extreme heat produced by the incendiary and explosive chemicals in fireworks also start fires, and cause an average of 20,000 reported fires per year. This summer, local firefighting units have already responded to multiple vegetation fires caused by illegal fireworks.

Fireworks of any kind, including sparklers, are illegal in Carson City, surrounding counties and all public land, said Dave Rubin, Carson City Fire Marshal. It is illegal to bring them into Carson City if bought from other areas or indian reservations.

“Everything is extremely dry and all it would take is a wind event and some carless use of fireworks and we would have a large fire on our hands with the potential for loss of homes, loss of life,” said Rubin.

If people in Carson City want to watch fireworks, Rubin urged them to watch the RSVP July 4 display at Mills Park.

Lake Tahoe is celebrating Wildfire Awareness Month, and residents and visitors are doing their part to become more fire-adapted. This fire season, observe fire restrictions by not lighting campfires or charcoal fires outside of developed campgrounds, by properly extinguishing cigarettes in designed receptacles, and by leaving the fireworks to the professionals. One less spark means one less Tahoe fire.

In Douglas County, persons found in violation of the fireworks ordinance face criminal penalties, including a fine of up to $1,000 and/or confinement in the county jail for a period of up to six months.

Please, do not risk life or property by the personal use or display of fireworks. There are many community firework displays planned in our area in which you can take part, without risk of criminal or civil penalties.

For more information about Lake Tahoe Wildfire Awareness Month, see the Living with Fire in Lake Tahoe website at www.livingfire.info/Tahoe/.

Meanwhile, fire restrictions on National Forest System lands in the Lake Tahoe Basin began Wednesday, July 1, and will remain in effect until the official end of fire season.

Campfires will be restricted to certain exempted recreation sites and other fire-related activities will be prohibited. “Illegal and unattended campfires cause over 90 percent of wildfires in the Lake Tahoe Basin,” said fire management officer, Kit Bailey. “Increased fire danger due to the ongoing drought and warmer weather is a big concern in Lake Tahoe. Fire restrictions will help reduce the possibility of human caused fires.”

On National Forest System lands, fire restrictions mean:
— No open fires, campfires or charcoal fires will be allowed outside of exempted recreation sites (see attached list) even with a valid campfire permit.

Campfires must be built within agency installed and approved fire rings or grills. Lanterns and portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed as long as the forest visitor has a valid California Campfire Permit available here or from Forest Service offices during normal business hours (M-F; 8-4:30).
— No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, building or exempted recreation site.

— Internal combustion engines are restricted to National Forest System roads, routes, trails, and areas as identified on the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Motor Vehicle Use Map here.

— No possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device, using an explosive or operating a welding or other torch with an open flame. Fireworks, including sparklers, are always illegal in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

— No welding, or operating acetylene or any other torch with an open flame.

The fire restriction Forest Order is available here. For more information on fire restrictions, call the Forest Supervisor’s office at 530-543-2694, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., or the Taylor Creek Visitor Center at 530-543-2674 (weekends and holidays).