San Andreas, CA…Effective Friday, November 20th, 2020 at 8:00 AM the burn permit suspension in the Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit (TCU) of CAL FIRE will be lifted, which will affect State Responsibility Areas within Tuolumne County, Calaveras County, Eastern Stanislaus County and Eastern San Joaquin County. CAL FIRE TCU Unit Chief, Nick Casci, is formally cancelling the burn permit suspension and advises that those possessing current and valid burn permits can now resume burning on permissible burn days. Agriculture burns must be inspected by CAL FIRE prior to burning until the end of the peak fire season. Inspections may be required for burns other than agriculture burns. This can be verified by contacting your local Air Quality Management District.

CAL FIRE burn permits will be required until the end of fire season. Property owners and residents are asked to use caution while conducting debris burns. While cooler temperatures have helped to diminish the threat of wildfire, it is imperative to follow the terms of your permit which is proven to help prevent fire escapes. Individuals can be held civilly and/or criminally liable for allowing a fire to escape their control and/or burn onto neighboring property.

To obtain a CAL FIRE residential burn permit, visit the https://burnpermit.fire.ca.gov/apply-for-a-permit/ website. The website is the preferred method of obtaining a permit and provides for minimal contact in compliance with COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. Applicants will watch a three-minute educational video, fill out an online application, print the permit and once signed the permit will be valid.

Property Owners requiring an alternate means of obtaining a permit are asked to call our headquarters office during normal business hours (Monday to Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM) at (209) 754-3831 for assistance.

It is your responsibility to check burn day status by calling your local Air Quality Management District with jurisdiction over your area.
Calaveras County: (209) 754-6600
Tuolumne County: (209) 533-5598
San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties: (877) 429-2876

Pile Burning Requirements
• Only dry, natural vegetative material such as leaves, pine needles and tree trimmings may be burned.
• The burning of trash, painted wood or other debris is not allowed.
• Do NOT burn on windy days.
• Piles shall be no larger than four feet in diameter and in height. You can add to pile as it burns down.
• Clear a 10 foot diameter down to bare soil around your piles.
• Have a shovel and a water source nearby.
• An adult is required to be in attendance of the fire at all times.

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Safe residential pile burning of forest residue by landowners is a crucial tool in reducing fire hazards. State, Federal and Local land management and fire agencies will also be utilizing this same window of opportunity to conduct prescribed burns aimed at improving forest health on private and public lands.
For more information on burning, visit the CAL FIRE website at www.fire.ca.gov.
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