Monday, January 27, 2014

CA Dept of Forestry and Fire Protection and CalFire - Proclamation suspending burning permits



PROCLAMATION SUSPENDING BURNING PERMITS


On all State Responsibility Areas within the Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit


Due to the extreme menace of wildfire and its potential to destroy life, property, and natural resources; and due to current and predicted fire weather, the lack of precipitation, the dryness of vegetation, and the increase fire activity; “unusual fire conditions” exist as described in Section 4423(b) of the Public Resources Code. Per that section and under the authority vested in me by the Director of the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection; I declare that burn permits are required for all open burning, except for campfires, in the State Responsibility Areas of the Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit until further notice. In addition, under the authority vested in me by the Director as per Section 4423.1 of the Public Resources Code, I hereby proclaim the following types of burning restrictions and exceptions:

RESTRICTIONS:

Ø  All residentialDooryard” (LE-62A) Burn Permits within State Responsibility Areas and Local Responsibility Areas under contract to CAL FIRE in the Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit will be SUSPENDED beginning 8:00 AM, Monday, January 27, 2014.  Previously issued “Dooryard” permits will no longer be valid until the proclamation is rescinded.

EXCEPTIONS:

Ø  Campfires within organized campgrounds or on private property are allowed if the purpose of the campfire is for cooking or providing warmth and is maintained in such a manner as to prevent the campfire from spreading to the wildland vegetation.

Ø  Project Burn Permits (LE-5’s) may be issued by the Department whenever it can be shown that burning or open flame is essential for reasons of agriculture emergencies, public health, safety and welfare.  These projects will be inspected and approved by the Department prior to the issuance of a permit. 
 
This suspension will continue in place until formally cancelled by me.

This PROCLAMATION is issued at San Andreas, California, this 27th day of January, 2014.

                                                            
                                                       
                                                                             JOSHUA WHITE
Unit Chief