- Clear the area of any flammable material in a 10 ft diameter around the pit, and clean the pit before starting a fire.
- Use the type of fuel that your fire pit is designed to burn
- Use a spark screen to keep sparks and ambers under control in the fire pit
- Keep a fire extinguisher or bucket of sand or a garden hose near by
- Keep an eye on the kids and pets and take the time to teach the kids fire safety
- Keep seating at a safe distance to prevent possible burns
- Never Leave Your Fire Unattended
- Keep your fire pit clean and empty it regularly (after it has completely cooled and the embers have been extinguished)
- Extinguish your fire properly with dirt and/or water so that there are no remaining embers that could flare up later
YOU SHOULD ALSO BE AWARE THAT YOU ARE LIABLE!
There can be significant legal liability associated with these backyard fires including liability for damages caused to other private or public property should the fire escape from your property due to your failure to exercise due diligence to control the fire. (See the applicable California Health and Safety Codes described below).
13007. Liability for Damage. Any person, who personally or allows another
person to willfully, negligently or in violation of law, set fire to, allows fire to
be set to, or allows a fire kindled or attended by him or her to escape to the
property of another, whether privately or publicly owned, is liable to the property’s
owner for any damages caused by the fire.
13008. Due Diligence Required. Any person who allows a fire burning upon
his or her property to escape to the property of another, whether privately or
publicly owed, without exercising due diligence to control such fire, is liable to
the owner of such property for the damages to the property caused by the fire.
13009. Expense of fighting fires, liability for. Any person who negligently, or
in violation of the law, sets a fire, allows a fire to be set, allows a fire kindled
or attended by him or her to escape onto any public or private property will be
financially responsible for the firefighting costs.
NO BONFIRES
While campfires and open fires in pits are allowed in Serene Lakes, LARGE BONFIRES ARE STRICTLY FORBIDDEN AND ILLEGAL. Large fires can be extremely dangerous, especially during the dry summer months. Controlling a large bonfire can by problematic and the amount of sparks and embers can present a danger to the entire community.
Please confine your backyard fires to a safe covered fire pit and please report any large bonfires or other unsafe fires to Truckee Fire immediately by calling 911 or the Soda Springs Station at 530-426-9239