CAL FIRE Director Orders Burn Bans Across 31 Million Acres

Record Setting Drought Conditions Have Increased Fire Danger

Sacramento

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California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Director Ken Pimlott issued

an order to suspend open burning across 31 million acres of State Responsibility Area in California. The suspended burning order is part of CAL FIRE’s continued efforts to mitigate the increased threat of wildfire due to the state’s drought emergency.

 

CALFIRE - Burn Suspension Lifted, No Permits Required, Open Burn Hours

Burn Suspension Lifted, No Permits Required,

Open Burn Hours

San Andreas – On Friday, January 31, 2014 at 8 a.m. CAL FIRE will lift the burn suspension for several counties.  This includes the counties of Calaveras, Tuolumne, and the eastern portions of San Joaquin and Stanislaus that are within the State Responsibility Area. 

CAL FIRE burn permits will NOT be required and burn hours will not be restricted.  Open burning will be allowed on “Permissive Burn Days” as established by the Air Pollution Control District in each county.  In Calaveras County burning on property five acres or more in size requires a permit from the Air Pollution Control District.  In Tuolumne County clearing two acres or more of vegetation requires a permit from the Air Pollution Control District.  

Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit Moves to Open Burning

Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit Moves to Open Burning

 

San Andreas – On Monday, December 9, 2013, at 8:00 AM, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) moved into open burning.  Burning will be permitted 24 hours a day on “Permissive Burn Days” as established by the Air Pollution Control District (APCD) in each county.  CAL FIRE burn permits will not be required until May 1, 2014 (or earlier if conditions require).  Landowners may be held liable if their fire escapes their control. Remain in attendance of your fire, keep a water supply close to the burning site and do not burn when windy, or when high winds are predicted. In Calaveras County, burning on property five acres or more in size requires a permit from the Calaveras APCD.  In Tuolumne County clearing two acres or more of vegetation requires a permit from the Tuolumne APCD.

Call before you burn

Please call the burn hotline prior to ANY outside burning. Due to high winds and dry heat the fire danger is high.
Local burn hotline 785-7664

CalFire seasonal burn hours in effect

On May 28, 2012 new burn hours go into effect for Calaveras County. There will be no burning between the hours of 8 am and 7 pm. Burning between the hours of 7 pm and 8 am are allowable on burn days ONLY and with a permit.
CalFire on Main street is now open 8 am to 5 pm to obtain your burn permit.
The burn day hotline number is 785-SMOG. Remember to call before your burn.

Burning Suspension Lifted

San Andreas – Effective 8:00 AM, Friday, January 20, 2012, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) will lift the suspension of burning on private lands within the Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit. This includes the counties of Calaveras, Tuolumne, and those eastern portions of San Joaquin and Stanislaus that are within the State Responsibility Area. 

Lifting of the burning suspension also applies to lands within the Direct Protection Area (DPA) of the Stanislaus National Forest. Open burning will be allowed on permissive burn days as established by the Air Pollution Control District in each county.  Fire weather will be monitored and if the need arises restricted burning hours or suspension will be reissued. CAL FIRE is not requiring burn permits at this time.  Due to the recent rainfall and the projected forecast for more rain improves the conditions for burning vegetation created by working on 100 foot defensible space.  Clear all flammable material and vegetation from the outer edge of the pile, keep a water supply close to the burning site. 

CAL FIRE suspends ALL burning

CAL FIRE Suspends Burning  SAN ANDREAS – Starting at 8AM on Friday, January 13, 2012 the Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit (TCU) of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) will suspend outdoor burning within State Responsibility Areas of Tuolumne County, Calaveras County, Eastern Stanislaus County and Eastern San Joaquin County.   The Mother Lode is experiencing one of the driest winters on record.  This lack of precipitation, combined with dry winds, has created fire danger levels similar to those usually seen during mid-summer. These conditions have contributed to an unusual number of wildfires caused by escaped debris burns. To minimize this danger to life and property, CAL FIRE will suspend all burning in the Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit until the area receives significant wetting rains.

Low Precipitation in the Foothills affect Burn Days

According to NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) the Stockton area, including the foothills, has received 1.63 inches since July 2011 compared to July 2010 to Jan 2011 rainfall of 8.45 inches.

While the US Drought monitor places this low precipitation at a moderate drought level, defined as a drought that will last less than 6 months, some feel there is still cause for concern.

CAL FIRE has all but banned burning of yard debris due to the dryness of the surrounding areas and the high fire danger involved. Before burning please call the burn hotline at 785-SMOG.

CAL FIRE tip

CAL FIRE TIP:  Always check to make sure it is a burn day prior to burning a debris pile.
In Copperopolis the number is 785-SMOG (7664)

Burn Hours to be Suspended July 1, 2011

Cal Fire will begin restricting burn hours in the Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit starting Monday June 20,2011. Suspension of all outdoor burning will go into effect on Friday, July 1.
Outdoor burning is permitted only between the hours of 7 p.m. and 8 a.m. with a valid burn permit on permissive burn days starting Monday.
   
Call 533-5598 or 754-6600 for burn day status.
Only clean, dry vegetation in a pile no larger than 4 by 4 feet can be burned.
Burn permits are available at the Copperopolis CalFire substation during daytime hours.