(Grass Valley - Aug. 13, 2024) Earlier in the camping summer season, a warning for trash and fire danger was issued by the Nevada Irrigation District (NID). The danger has escalated.

Again, the District warns people staying in dispersed camping sites around Bowman Lake to take caution and be considerate during their stays. As summer has progressed and the number of campers has increased, the amount of trash and smoldering campfires is posing a threat to public health and escalating the wildfire risk.

Dispersed camping is the term used for camping outside of an organized, hosted campground. This type of camping means no services, such as trash removal. Located throughout the Bowman area (Bowman Lake to Faucherie Campground), dispersed camping is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Because there are no janitors or regular patrols -- county, federal or NID -- around dispersed camping sites, visitors have added responsibility. Their actions have real consequences, good and especially bad.

NID, which has a crew working at its upper division reservoirs, will visit the sites to clean and put out smoldering fires. As of Aug. 1, 2024, the Tahoe National Forest increased restrictions banning all campfires on its lands and recreation areas.

Most of the smoldering campfires are attempts at burning garbage, according to NID Director of Recreation Monica Reyes.

“All fire is prohibited, yet campers are choosing to try to burn their trash and leftover food rather than dispose of it properly. I cannot stress how dangerous this is. All it takes is a spark, and our forest and communities are in jeopardy,” she said. “Please people, do not start any fires of any types when you camp.”

Most wildfires are human-related, and a campfire that is not attended to can quickly start to burn out of control. Even ashes and embers can spark and start a fire. Embers can remain hot up to 12 hours after a fire has been extinguished.

NID supports the “pack it in, pack it out” approach. The message is simple: whatever you bring in, you are responsible for bringing out. 

With no garbage cans at the dispersed camp site areas, campers are responsible for their own disposal. Besides burning, many times bags full of trash are stuffed and abandoned in bear bins.

“It’s beyond consideration for the campers coming after you, the amount of garbage creates a public health problem and attracts bears. You absolutely must be mindful of your impact,” Reyes said.