No campfires in popular Nevada campgrounds

A high fire hazard has prompted state officials to impose a "no campfires" order at popular campgrounds at Lake Tahoe and elsewhere in Nevada.

The order Thursday coincided with a "red flag" notice from Gov. Jim Gibbons for all 17 Nevada counties today and for most of the counties on the weekend. Gibbons said the notice is necessary because of windy conditions coupled with dry vegetation.

The restrictions and warnings came as firefighters continued to battle a blaze on the California side of Tahoe that had destroyed more than 200 homes and other buildings and burned more than 3,100 acres as of Thursday.

The state Parks Division and state Forestry Division barred campfires at parks at Sand Harbor, on Tahoe's east shore, and in the Marlette-Hobart backcountry and Spooner Lake just east of Tahoe.

Officials also said no open fires will be permitted at the Fort Churchill park in Silver Springs, the Beaver Dam park near Caliente and the Cathedral Gorge park near Panaca.

Other restrictions for all 24 state parks include no fireworks, no unpermitted explosives, no use of welding torches and no smoking except inside vehicles. Portable stoves that use gas, pressurized fuel or similar fuels are OK.

State Forester Pete Anderson said restrictions "should be taken seriously." He said violations could result in fines up to $10,000 and a year in jail as well as the costs of dealing with any fires caused by violators.