SACRAMENTO — While recent rains this winter and spring have been a welcome sight in California, drought conditions continue to increase fire danger in the region prompting CAL FIRE to suspend all burn permits for outdoor burning within the State Responsibility Areas of:
Alameda • San Mateo • Santa Clara • Santa Cruz
This suspension takes effect Monday, June 27, 2016 at 12:01 a.m. and bans all outdoor burning except for campfires within organized campgrounds or on private property with landowner permission. Campfires may be permitted if the campfire is maintained in such a manner as to prevent its spread to the wildland. A campfire permit can be obtained at local CAL FIRE fire stations and online at PreventWildfireCA.org.
Since January 1, 2016 CAL FIRE and firefighters across the state have already responded to approximately 2,100 wildfires that have burned over 32,000 acres.
While outdoor burning is no longer allowed, CAL FIRE is asking residents to ensure that they are prepared for wildfires by maintaining a minimum of 100 feet of Defensible Space around every home.
“As conditions across California are drying out further we must take every step to prevent new wildfires from sparking,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, CAL FIRE director. “Residents must ensure they have Defensible Space by removing dead trees and overgrown vegetation from around their homes, but do so safely.”
Here are some tips to help prepare homes and property:
- Clear all dead and or dying vegetation 100 feet from around all structures
- Landscape with fire resistant/drought tolerant plants
- Find an alternative way to dispose of debris such as chipping. For residents in Santa Cruz County, you may contact the Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County to participate in the Chipper Program (831) 464-2950.
For additional info on how to create Defensible Space, as well as tips to prevent wildfires, visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org.
The department may issue restricted temporary burning permits if there is an essential reason due to public health and safety. Agriculture, land management, fire training, and other industrial-type burning may proceed if a CAL FIRE official inspects the burn site and issues a special permit.