TMFPD Announces Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Effective Today

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 28, 2026

WASHOE COUNTY, NV. (August, 2026) — Effective today Friday, August 28, 2026, Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District (TMFPD) is implementing Stage 2 fire restrictions on private and County lands due to extremely dry conditions and increased wildfire danger across the region.

“This has already been a long and challenging fire season for our community and our firefighters, and we are only halfway through what is typically a demanding time of year,” said Fire Chief Richard Edwards, Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District. “Fire conditions across our region remain extremely dangerous, and even a small ignition can quickly become a serious wildfire. Stage 2 restrictions are an important step in reducing the potential for human-caused fires. We ask everyone to know the restrictions where they are recreating, plan ahead and do their part to prevent a wildfire. Residents can continue to enjoy backyard barbecues, but we ask everyone to use extra caution and make fire safety a priority.”

The following acts are prohibited under Stage 2 fire restrictions:

• Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire outside of contained cooking devices (BBQs, smokers, pizza ovens, etc.)
• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or when stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
• Operating motorized vehicles off existing roads.
• Welding, metal grinding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame while outside and not in paved areas (except by permit).
• The following acts are prohibited from 1:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. – Operating a chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine for felling, bucking, skidding, yarding, processing, road building and woodcutting during industrial operations or firewood gathering.

Enclosed cooking devices on private property in an established barbecue or campfire ring, clear of flammable vegetation, are currently permitted.

Open burning remains closed for the season in the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District. This includes pile burning and the use of burn barrels for the disposal of vegetation.

Open burning will reopen when conditions allow and the District announces the start of the next burn season. TMFPD Outdoor Burning.

As these activities could create or add to a hazardous situation, in accordance with Section 307.3 of the adopted fire code, TMFPD personnel have the authority to extinguish such fires on any property within the Fire District, and to issue citations for violating these restrictions as well as potential citation or arrest for disobeying, resisting, interfering, or any conduct likely to interfere with the extinguishment of the fire (NRS 475.070).

Residents must understand that if they are found responsible for starting a fire that involves their disregard for these restrictions, they may be held responsible for the total cost of fighting the fire (NRS 474.550).

###