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.

 "We recognize people conduct their defensible space clearance during the winter, and dispose of the debris by burning." states Unit Chief Brian Kirk of the Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit. "But we are encouraging the public to help with this unseasonable wildfire danger by not doing any outdoor burning until we get significant wetting rains. Also, check old debris burn piles to ensure they are completely out. Deep piles of ashes retain heat for several weeks, and high winds can blow these hot ashes into nearby dry leaves or grass and start fires."   CAL FIRE reminds everyone that it is their individual responsibility to use fire safely and to prevent fires that destroy lives, property and our wildland.   For more fire safety tips visit http://www.readyforwildfire.org/ or http://www.fire.ca.gov/.