North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District Fire Code and WUI Code Updates Take Effect January 1, 2026

The North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District (NLTFPD) announces that the newly adopted 2024 Lake Tahoe Nevada Fire Code and 2024 Lake Tahoe Nevada Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Code will officially take effect on January 1, 2026.

These updated codes are based on the 2024 International Fire Code (IFC) and 2024 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC), with local amendments tailored specifically to the unique wildfire risks, environmental conditions, and community needs of Incline Village and Crystal Bay.

Strengthening Community Safety and Wildfire Resilience

The updated Fire Code and WUI Code are designed to:

• Enhance wildfire mitigation and defensible-space standards
• Improve building and vegetation requirements in wildfire-prone areas
• Clarify fire-safety expectations for new construction, remodeling, and existing properties
• Increase consistency with regional and state fire-safety practices

“These updates reflect our commitment to reducing wildfire risk while ensuring clear, modern, and locally appropriate safety standards for our community,” said Fire Chief Ryan Sommers. “With wildfire threats continuing to evolve, these codes provide essential tools to protect lives, property, and our natural environment.”

What This Means for Residents and Property Owners

The codes apply to new construction, permitted projects, and certain property-maintenance requirements beginning January 1, 2026. NLTFPD encourages residents, builders, architects, and property managers to review the updated codes well in advance to ensure compliance and allow adequate planning time.

Educational resources, summaries of key changes, and code documents are available on the NLTFPD website.

A Message from NLTFPD

“For the NLTFPD, prevention has never been optional,” said Fire Marshal John James. “With the adoption of the updated Lake Tahoe Nevada Fire Code and Wildland–Urban Interface (WUI) Code, in alignment with Tahoe Douglas Fire, we are enhancing safety and resilience across our community, for both people and the environment. NLTFPD has led this work for decades—defensible space since 1985, fuels management and prescribed fire since 1995, and WUI enforcement since 2013. These updates simplify compliance and provide clear, consistent standards for anyone designing or working on the Nevada side of the Tahoe Basin.”

Learn More

For additional information, code documents, or assistance:

https://nltfpd.org/codes-standards

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The North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District would like to notify the community of potential hand pile burning operations, weather permitting, in the Incline Village/Crystal Bay area.

Planned Ignition Window: January 5–18, 2026 (Weather dependent, ignitions will continue through the winter, as conditions allow)

Burn Duration: Approximately 5 days of burn-down time for the SR 431 area and approximately 1 day of burn-down time for each Upper Tyner and Upper Tyrolia project (weather and conditions permitting)

Location:
• Multiple small locations north of State Route 431, Incline Village
• Multiple small urban lots in the Upper Tyner area
• Upper Tyrolia neighborhood

Total Acreage: 74 acres

Smoke Visibility: Smoke may be visible from the Lake Tahoe Basin and surrounding communities

Estimated Smoke Direction: North, Northeast, and East

Please be advised that ignitions will continue through the winter, as conditions allow. NLTFPD will continue to send out notifications identifying specific areas where burning will occur. These pile burns are part of ongoing fuels management efforts aimed at reducing wildfire risk and improving forest health. All operations will be conducted and monitored by trained NLTFPD personnel to ensure safety and compliance with all local and state regulations.

Current and upcoming burn information can also be found here:
https://www.tahoelivingwithfire.com/get-informed/lake-tahoe-basin-prescribed-fire-project-map/

If you know anyone that would like to be added to our Prescribed Fire Notification list, please share my email address.

Thank you for your awareness and cooperation as we continue working to protect our community and Happy New Year!