Citing “the extreme menace of wildfire and its potential to destroy life, property, and natural resources” following continued dry conditions, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection last week suspended open burning in many areas of the state, including San Benito County.
Agriculture, land management, fire training and other industrial-type burning may proceed if a CalFire official inspects the burn site and issues a special permit to exempt a burn from the ban. Campfires are still allowed in designated campgrounds.
In a proclamation issued in Felton on Dec. 22, CalFire announced the suspension of burning would begin on Dec. 23 and last indefinitely. The forecast of continued lack of precipitation and the dryness of vegetation prompted the ban.
“Experience has shown that open burning suspensions effectively aid in preventing fire escapes and significantly reduces the risk and occurrence of large fires,” Batallion Chief Jim Crawford said in a press release. “This is especially important as these areas are currently experiencing low cumulative rainfall, low humidity’s, dry fuel moisture levels and increased fire activity.”
In addition to San Benito County, the burn ban includes Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Stanislaus, Monterey and western San Joaquin counties.
