Due to warming temperatures and strong winds rapidly drying out the annual grasses and vegetation, creating a dense layer of dry fuel and significantly increasing the risk of wildfires, Cal Fire is suspending all burn permits for outdoor residential burning within the State Responsibility Area (SRA) of Riverside County, effective Sunday, June 5.
This suspension bans all residential outdoor burning of landscape debris such as branches and leaves. Agricultural burning in the Palo Verde Valley and Coachella Valley is authorized as required for agricultural rehabilitation.
“As we enter the summer season, temperatures will increase and the abundant vegetation will dry out, Fire Chief Rill Weiser said. “We urge residents to prepare their homes, clear overgrown parcels, and comply with this restriction until it is determined that it is safe to resume open burning.
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 building on their property and being prepared to evacuate if the time comes.
Cal Fire recommends the following tips to help prepare homes and property:
- Remember“Zone Zero”, the ember-resistant zone: Keep all combustible materials out of the five-foot zone immediately surrounding your home
- Clear all dead or dying vegetation 100 feet 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
The department 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.
