San Andreas, CA…On Thursday, May 1, 2014, the Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection ( CAL FIRE) will require burn permits for any outdoor burning within State Responsibility Areas of Tuolumne County, Calaveras County, Eastern Stanislaus County and Eastern San Joaquin County. Due to the exceptionally dry conditions, burning will be limited to the hours between 7:00 P.M. and 8:00 A.M.

Residential burn permits are available at all CAL FIRE stations except Hermit Springs and Skull Creek. Please remember station personnel may be away for extended periods of time when responding to emergencies.

Burn permit requirements include limiting pile size to a maximum of 4 feet by 4 feet in diameter and height. Maintain the area within 10 feet of the outer edge of a debris pile free and clear of all flammable material and vegetation. A responsible person must be in attendance at all times with water and a shovel. The fire has to be completely out before leaving it at any time.

Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit Chief Josh White says “Because the surrounding vegetation is already much drier than normal for this time of year, please use extra caution with all outdoor burning, or any other projects that could start a wildfire.”

Confirm the burn day status by calling the Air Pollution Control District with jurisdiction over your area. Chief White adds “Remember that burn day status is determined on the basis of air quality, not by how safe it is to burn. Burn days are often windy days, which allow smoke to disperse well, but which may be very unsafe for outdoor burning. Please use good judgment.”

Calaveras County: 209/754-6600

Tuolumne County: 209/533-5598

San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties: 877/429-2876