San Andreas, CA…As fire danger in the region increases, CAL FIRE Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit (TCU) has suspended all burn permits for outdoor, open residential burning in Zone 1 (below 3500′) within the State Responsibility Area of Tuolumne County, Calaveras County, Eastern Stanislaus County and Eastern San Joaquin County. This suspension takes effect Monday, May 25, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. and bans all residential outdoor burning of landscape debris including branches and leaves for residents living in Zone 1 (below 3500′ elevation).

Property owners above 3,500 feet may continue to utilize residential burning to remove waste generated while creating and maintaining defensible space.CAL FIRE TCU is asking residents to ensure that they are prepared for wildfires including maintaining a minimum of 100 feet of Defensible Space around every home.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 safe plants and practice “hardscaping” techniques to provide spacing between planted areas.
Find alternative ways to dispose of landscape debris like chipping or hauling it to a biomass energy or green waste facility.

CAL FIRE TCU 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 TCU official inspects the burn site and issues a permit.

The suspension of burn permits in Zone 1 (below 3500′) for residential landscape debris does not apply to campfires within organized campgrounds or on private property.

Campfires may be permitted if the campfire is maintained in such a manner as to prevent its spread to the wildland. A valid campfire permit is required.