CAL FIRE Press Release:
Fortuna – After another wet winter and above average snowpack, warming
temperatures and winds are quickly drying out vegetation. The increasing fire danger
posed by the high volume of dead grass and hotter, drier conditions in the region is
prompting CAL FIRE to suspend all burn permits for outdoor residential burning within
the State Responsibility Area of Humboldt, Del Norte, and western Trinity Counties. This
suspension takes effect July 31, 2023, and suspends all residential outdoor burning of
landscape debris such as branches and leaves.
Humboldt – Del Norte Unit Chief Kurt McCray would like to thank all of those who have
been burning safely this year. Chief McCray is also grateful for all the residents and
groups who have worked with CAL FIRE to understand and obtain burn permits through
this year’s new online process. Safe burning of debris and prescribed fire are important
tools to reduce hazardous wildland fuels. Warmer and drier conditions, along with
increasing statewide fire activity, now warrant suspension of debris burning. The
suspension will be effective beginning 6:00 AM, Monday, July 31st, 2023.
Since January 1, 2023, CAL FIRE and firefighters across the state have already
responded to over 3,600 wildfires. While outdoor burning of landscape debris by
homeowners is no longer allowed, CAL FIRE is asking residents to take that extra time
to ensure that they are prepared for wildfires by maintaining a minimum of 100 feet of
Defensible Space around every home and buildings on their property and being
prepared to evacuate if the time comes.
Here are some tips to help prepare homes and property:
- Clear all dead and or dying vegetation 100 feet from around all structures.
- Landscape with fire resistant plants and non-flammable ground cover.
- Find alternative ways to dispose of landscape debris like chipping or
hauling it to a biomass energy or green waste facility.
CAL FIRE may issue restricted temporary burning permits if there is an essential reason
due to public health and 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.
The suspension of burn permits 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. A campfire permit can be obtained at local fire stations or online at
PreventWildfireCA.org.
For additional information on how to create Defensible Space, on how to be prepared
for wildfires, as well as tips to prevent wildfires, visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org.
