Calfire has declared a burn ban for San Benito and Monterey counties due to drought conditions, according to a statement from the state agency.
According to a Calfire statement:
As drought conditions continue to increase fire danger in the region, Calfire has suspended all burn permits within the State Responsibility Area and Local Responsibility Areas under contract with Calfire, in San Benito and Monterey Counties. This suspension takes effect April 14, 2015 and bans all residential outdoor burning of landscape debris including branches and leaves.
To date in 2015, Calfire has responded to 18 vegetation fires in San Benito and Monterey Counties, during a period of the year when there are usually 0-3 vegetation fires. Of these, 6 have been escapes of prescribed burns by property owners.
Calfire is asking residents to ensure that they are prepared for wildfires including maintaining a minimum of 100 feet of space around every home.
Here are some tips to help prepare your home and property:
Clear all dead or dying vegetation 100 feet around all structures.
Landscape with fire resistant/drought tolerant plants.
Find alternative ways to dispose of landscape debris like chipping or hauling it to a biomass energy facility.
The department may issue restricted temporary burning permits if there is an essential reason due to public health, safety. Agriculture, land management, fire training, and other industrial-type burning may proceed if a CAL FIRE official inspects the burn site and issues a special permit. Campfires are allowed in designated campgrounds, or in established facilities on private property with permission of the landowner and jurisdictional authority. Persons burning under any special permit must also check with the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District for addition regulations and requirements.
For additional information on preparing for and preventing wildfires visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org.
