LAKE TAHOE

In an effort to reduce wildfire risk and maintain the health and safety of visitors and residents during Fourth of July celebrations, county officials are emphasizing two key rules: All fireworks are illegal in unincorporated Placer County, Washoe County, and Nevada County, including the Lake Tahoe Basin, and alcohol is banned on the Truckee River from July 1 through 6.

Due to Placer County’s vulnerability to damaging wildfires, the county has an ordinance that prohibits fireworks of all types, including those ‘safe and sane’ fireworks intended for home use that are sold at roadside stands throughout the region.

The fireworks prohibition applies to unincorporated communities including Tahoe City and Kings Beach. Anyone caught violating the fireworks ban could be charged with a misdemeanor and face a fine of up to $2,000 per violation.

Officials are also warning visitors that alcohol is banned on the Truckee River from July 1 through 6, an annual safety ban originally passed by the board of supervisors in 2012.

The ban prohibits possession of open alcoholic containers in and along both sides of the river, including islands and bridges, from its outfall at Lake Tahoe in Tahoe City to the upstream edge of the Alpine Meadows bridge during the holiday week. Violations of the ban are punishable by a fine not to exceed $150 for the first violation, $500 for the second violation, and $1,000 for the third violation.

The Placer County Sheriff’s Office will be stepping up enforcement throughout the North Lake Tahoe Basin to ensure safety during the holiday weekend.

Lastly, Placer County will continue to monitor the county’s short-term rental complaint hotline throughout the holiday weekend. Anyone can report short-term rental rule violations by calling Placer’s 24/7 hotline at (530) 448-8003.

~ Placer County Sheriff’s Office press release