San Andreas, CA…June 12th, 2017 – After a wet winter, warming temperatures are quickly drying out the abundant annual grass crop. The increasing fire danger posed by the high volume of dead grass and hotter, drier conditions in the region is prompting CAL FIRE to suspend all burn permits for outdoor residential burning within the State Responsibility Area of Tuolumne and Calaveras Counties. This suspension takes effect June 12th, 2017 and bans all residential outdoor burning of landscape debris such as branches and leaves.
“We are asking that residents not be lulled into a false sense of security on the heels of an exceptionally wet winter,’ said Chief Ken Pimlott, CAL FIRE director. “The abundant dead grass will only serve as a fuse to the heavier vegetation still suffering the lasting effects of 5 years of extreme drought.”
“Unprecedented wet weather and the progression of tree mortality in Tuolumne and Calaveras Counties continues to challenge residents to meet their defensible space requirements. It is essential that residents remain prepared.’ said Chief Josh White, Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit Chief. “While the suspension of residential debris burning is in effect, I encourage property owners to use alternative disposal methods.”
Since January 1, 2017 CAL FIRE and firefighters across the state have already responded to over 1,472 wildfires. While outdoor burning of landscape debris by homeowners 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 and building on their property.
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 alternative ways to dispose of landscape debris like chipping or hauling it to a biomass energy or green waste facility
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.
The suspension of burn permits 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 campfire permit can be obtained at local fire stations or online at PreventWildfireCA.org.
For additional information on how to create Defensible Space, as well as tips to prevent wildfires, visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org.
CAL FIRE Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit is now on social media; please follow us on Twitter: @CALFIRETCU and on Facebook: @CAL FIRE Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit.
www.fire.ca.gov
CAL FIRE Suspends Burn Permits in Tuolumne, Calaveras, Eastern Stanislaus and Eastern San Joaquin Counties added by admin on
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This burn restriction for the whole of Calaveras County just doesn’t make sense for the higher elevations in Calaveras County. Tamarack lodge is at 7000 ft and still has snow on the ground. Spring growth is just starting in the open meadows with zero danger of grass fires. Maybe we should be considered the same as Alpine County with no burn restrictions at this time. In order to clear out underbrush, and provide defensible space, after this heavy winter snow season we need to have a way to burn the debris. Regards Derek Bray
Derek Alpine County already had a 100 ac plus fire just this past week.
“The department may issue restricted temporary burning permits if there is an essential reason”
Maybe you will be able to use this exemption?