Just in time for weekend recreationists, burning restrictions have been lifted for the Tahoe National Forest, starting today. That’s 5 days earlier than a year ago. The spokesperson at the Nevada City office, Michael Woodbridge, says fuel moistures are starting to increase again, as nights get colder in the Sierra…

click to listen to Michael Woodbridge

Woodbridge says despite the record heat this summer the fire season in the Sierra was fairly mild…

click to listen to Michael Woodbridge

When restrictions are lifted, you can have a campfire outside a designated campground but you must still have a valid permit. You can also smoke outside designated sites and operate vehicles off forest roads and trails where appropriate. But Woodbridge cautions that warm, dry, and windy conditions are still likely outside the traditional season and the fire danger is still present. Meanwhile, Cal Fire’s statewide burn ban in the lower elevations, including the foothills, is still in effect.