San Andreas, CA..During the past week, the Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit (TCU) has responded to five illegal debris burns, resulting in four criminal citations issued. On Saturday, May 5, 2018 at 12:40 PM TCU responded to a debris burn on Sun Road in Mountain Ranch, CA. The fire consisted of multiple oversize burn piles and a citation was issued for violations related to violating the terms of the burn permit.

On Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at 11:16 AM TCU responded to a wildland fire on Cheyenne Road in Copperopolis, CA. The fire burned approximately one-half acre of grass and the cause was determined to be an escaped debris burn due to a lack of clearance around the pile. A citation was issued for violations related to violating the terms of a burn permit and allowing a fire to escape.

On Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at 12:34 PM TCU responded to a debris burn on South Burson Road in Valley Springs, CA. The responsible party was burning an oversize burn pile without a burn permit. A citation was issued for burning without a burn permit.

On Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at 2:27 PM TCU responded to a wildland fire on Blue Mountain Road in Wilseyville, CA. The fire burned an approximately 10’ by 20’ area of vegetation and the cause was determined to be an escaped debris burn with no responsible person in attendance.

On Thursday, May 10, 2018 at 12:57 PM TCU resources located an escaped debris burn which almost burned the homeowner’s vehicle. The burn pile did not have clearance and the owner was not in attendance. A citation was issued for violating the terms of the permit and allowing a fire to escape.

CAL FIRE TCU reminds everyone to ensure they have a CAL FIRE Burn Permit when conducting burning operations. Follow all the terms listed on the permit. Specifically, maintain ten feet of clearance around the burn pile, a maximum pile size of four feet diameter and having a responsible person in attendance at all times, with a shovel and a water supply, until the fire is out cold. Furthermore, north winds of five to fifteen MPH are predicted to impact the area Friday and Saturday, please use caution!

For more ways to burn safely visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org.
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www.fire.ca.gov
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