New Melones Lake 
Credit: USBR

September 11, 2021 - SONORA, Calif. - The Bureau of Reclamation has added fire restrictions at New Melones Lake during red flag warnings (weather conditions increasing fire risk). The following act is prohibited:

• Building a fire using charcoal or ash-producing fires and fuels, even in established fire rings and grills (43 CFR 423.31(e)).

To help address fire concerns, visitors are requested to refrain from:

• Smoking in an area not devoid of vegetation and not properly extinguishing/disposing of when finished (43 CFR 423.31(b)).
• Operating or parking a vehicle or other motorized equipment over or on top of dried/cured vegetation (43 CFR 420.2).
• Operating a motor vehicle or combustion engine equipment without a spark arrestor and off  existing paved, gravel or dirt roads (43 CFR 420.11(b)).
• Using or possessing explosives, or fireworks or pyrotechnics of any type, except as allowed by a permit issued pursuant to subpart D of this part 423, or in special use areas so designated by an authorized official under subpart E of this part 423 (43 CFR 423.30(c)).

Visitors may use propane cook stoves in campgrounds and day use areas designated for barbecuing.

Staff will post fire-restriction signs and update the reservation website to inform visitors about conditions and bans. Bans will remain in effect during red flag warnings until further notice.

The restrictions follow the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 43, requiring compliance with federal, state, and local fire orders, restrictions, or permit requirements.  

Call the New Melones Administration Office for more information Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 209-536-9094, ext. 0, or visit the New Melones Lake website at https://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/newmelones/.
Source: USBR