Cal Fire suspends backyard burns in Santa Cruz County unless residents get permits
Quick Take
Since Jan. 1, Cal Fire and other fire agencies across the state have already responded to over 1,354 wildfires. Several wildfires ignited in Santa Cruz County during a hot, dry January.
Cal Fire announced Sunday it is ending this year’s backyard burn season within the “state responsibility area” of Santa Cruz County as concerns mount about hotter, drier conditions prompting fires here and elsewhere. The announcement came on the same day that firefighters contained a 6.7-acre fire in Big Basin Redwoods State Park.
This suspension bans all residential outdoor burning of landscape debris — such as branches and leaves — unless residents obtain a Cal Fire burn permit. A map of the state responsibility area shows the suspension covers virtually the entire county, including all of the fire-prone Santa Cruz Mountains.
“Together, we must continue to adapt and evolve to be able to withstand the intensity of these fires, keeping in mind, that the only way to minimize the damage they cause is through education, prevention and mitigation efforts,” said Chief Thom Porter, Cal Fire Director. “We are relying on the public to be ready.”
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Since Jan. 1, Cal Fire and other fire agencies across the state have already responded to over 1,354 wildfires. Several wildfires ignited in Santa Cruz County during a hot, dry January.
Cal Fire officials are asking residents to take extra time to prevent wildfires by doing the following:
• Clear all dead and or dying vegetation 100 feet from around all structures.
• Landscape with fire resistant plants and non-flammable ground cover.
• Weedwhack and mow in the mornings when vegetation is moist.
• Find alternative ways to dispose of landscape debris like chipping or hauling it to a biomass energy or green waste facility.
The permit process
Cal Fire may issue restricted temporary burning permits if there is an essential reason due to public health and safety. Controlled burns in state parks as well as 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. For details about permits, click here for Cal Fire’s online permit information page.
The suspension of backyard burns for residential landscape debris does not apply to campfires within organized campgrounds or on private property. Campfires may be permitted if the campfire is maintained in such a manner as to prevent its spread to the wildland.
If a poorly tended campfire or non-permitted burn gets out of control, the person responsible could be held 100% liable for all damages, says Cal Fire Division Chief Angela Bernheisel. She recommends calling the nearest fire station to learn more about permits for your neighborhood.
A campfire permit can be obtained at local fire stations or online at PreventWildfireCA.org.
For additional information on how to create defensible space, home hardening, evacuation planning and how to be prepared for wildfires, as well as tips to prevent wildfires, visit ReadyForWildfire.org.
Big Basin fire contained
The announcement about the suspension of backyard burning came as Cal Fire and other departments contained a blaze Sunday within the site of last year’s massive CZU Lighting Complex fire in Big Basin Redwoods State Park.
That fire reached 6.7 acres in size and didn’t threaten any structures. A cause of the fire was not immediately disclosed.