Burning of dry yard trimmings allowed, though air district
recommends alternative disposal methods
The backyard burn season in San Benito, Santa Cruz and Monterey
counties began Dec. 1 and will run through April 30, during which
time the residential burning of dry yard trimmings is permitted,
with some restrictions.
Burning of dry yard trimmings allowed, though air district recommends alternative disposal methods
The backyard burn season in San Benito, Santa Cruz and Monterey counties began Dec. 1 and will run through April 30, during which time the residential burning of dry yard trimmings is permitted, with some restrictions.
The Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District, which monitors air quality in the region, encourages residents to seek alternatives to burning, such as green waste pick-up, composting or recycling.
“While allowed by current regulation, burning yard waste frequently causes smoke impacts that can affect people nearby,” air district Director Richard Stedmen said in a press release. “Smoke exposure can be a significant health hazard. It is important to make every effort to use cleaner alternatives to dispose of yard waste.”
The burning of garbage and treated wood is prohibited at all times, though residents of one- or two-family dwellings may burn clean and dry yard trimmings from vegetation that was grown on-site, such as trees or bushes, without an air district permit.
People burning materials must check with their local fire agency to see if such burning is allowed and whether they must have a permit.
For residential burns, the air district recommends that piles of yard trimmings be kept tarped so the materials remain dry and that people call 800-266-2876 after 4 p.m. on the day before the planned burn to see if it will be an approved burn day. Permissive burn days are declared when the weather forecast predicts “good smoke dispersion conditions.”
“For residents that are unable to use alternatives to burning,” Stedman said, “they are encouraged to prepare well in advance in order to limit smoke impacts and potential fire danger.”
On the morning of the burn, residents should notify both the air district and their local fire district about the burn, as both agencies investigate complaints resulting from backyard burns – which can result in citations and/or fines.
Development burns, in which wood and brush cleared from commercial or residential projects is incinerated, are allowed during the backyard burn season. A permit from the air district is required for this type of burn.
In the Monterey Bay region, recreational burning – including cooking, warming, recreational and educational fires – is allowed every day unless there is a high wildfire danger. Also, indoor fireplace and wood stove burning is allowed every day.
For more information on burning rules, contact Betsy Hibbits, the air district’s smoke management coordinator, at 831-647-9411, ext. 213.
