CALIFORNIA, USA — Cal Fire is suspending all burn permits for outdoor residential burning as temperatures warm up and wind dries out vegetation.
The latest round of suspensions takes effect Monday, June 26 at midnight and is for areas including Alpine, Amador, Colusa, El Dorado, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Sierra, Solano, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba counties.
“Although debris burning is useful to reduce flammable vegetation, the conditions in the Amador-El Dorado Unit (AEU) have reached the point where debris burning poses an unacceptable risk of starting a wildfire and it is no longer safe for the public to perform these types of burns,” said AEU Chief Mike Blankenheim in a statement.
Burn permits were also suspended in Calaveras, Tuolumne, Eastern San Joaquin and Eastern Stanislaus counties on Monday, June 19.
The suspensions do not apply to campfires in organized campgrounds or on private property. Campfires may be allowed if they are maintained to prevent them from spreading. People can apply for a campfire permit HERE.
WILDFIRE PREPS
According to Cal Fire, the 2022 fire season was quieter than previous years, but there were still several significant fires. January 2022 saw just one major incident with the Colorado Fire in Monterey County burning 687 acres. Fires picked up in May when the Lost Lake Fire burned through 5,856 acres. The largest fire in 2022, the Mosquito Fire, started in early September. It burned through more than 76,000 acres in El Dorado and Placer counties.
Overall, 331,360 acres burned in 2022 from 7,477 wildfires — well below the five-year average of 2.3 million acres. Over 870 structures were affected and nine people were killed, all civilians.
If you live in a wildfire-prone zone, Cal Fire suggests creating a defensible space around your home. Defensible space is an area around a building in which vegetation and other debris are completely cleared. At least 100 feet is recommended.
The Department of Homeland Security suggests assembling an emergency kit that has important documents, N95 respirator masks, and supplies to grab with you if you’re forced to leave at a moment’s notice. The agency also suggests signing up for local warning system notifications and knowing your community’s evacuation plans best to prepare yourself and your family in cases of wildfires.
Some counties use Nixle alerts to update residents on severe weather, wildfires, and other news. To sign up, visit www.nixle.com or text your zip code to 888777 to start receiving alerts.
PG&E customers can also subscribe to alerts via text, email, or phone call. If you're a PG&E customer, visit the Profile & Alerts section of your account to register.
What questions do you have about the latest wildfires? If you're impacted by the wildfires, what would you like to know? Text the ABC10 team at (916) 321-3310.
Watch more on ABC10: Cal Fire gives a tour of the new equipment ahead of California wildfire season
