In response to the warm and dry summer season, the California
Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has suspended open
burning permits for areas under its jurisdiction in Santa Clara,
Contra Costa, Alameda and areas in Stanislaus and San Joaquin west
of Interstate 5.
GILROY – In response to the warm and dry summer season, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has suspended open burning permits for areas under its jurisdiction in Santa Clara, Contra Costa, Alameda and areas in Stanislaus and San Joaquin west of Interstate 5.
Effective Tuesday at 8 a.m., the suspension is in place until formally cancelled. Fire season for these areas began May 17. The suspension will likely be lifted at the end of fall when rainfall increases and vegetation is less combustible, according to CDF Fire Prevention Bureau Chief Steve Espe.
What can be burned in most of the Bay Area is regulated by air quality controls and is unaffected by the declaration. However, some legal burning will now require additional steps.
Campfires continue to be allowed in designated campgrounds and in established facilities on private property. Burning for agricultural, land management, fire training and other industrial purposes may be allowed if a CDF official inspects the burn site first and issues a special permit.
The CDF suspends open burning permits every year as a way to prevent fires. “It’s business as usual,” said Espe.
