For Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, portions of Stanislaus, and Western San Joaquin Counties
Felton – On December 30, 2013, CAL FIRE suspended all open burning within the State Responsibility Area and Local Responsibility Areas under contract to CAL FIRE in the following counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, portions of Stanislaus, and Western San Joaquin Counties.
Open burning suspensions aid in preventing fires going out of control and significantly reduces the risk and occurrence of large fires. This is especially important, as these counties are currently experiencing record-breaking low rainfall, low humidity, dry fuel moisture levels and increased fire activity. So far in November and December this year in Santa Cruz County alone, out of 31 vegetation fires, we have experienced 15 escaped debris fires. Normal for the same period would be an estimated 5 to 7 vegetation fires alone.
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 to specifically exempt a burn from this ban. Campfires are allowed in designated campgrounds, or in established facilities on private property with permission of the landowner and jurisdictional authority. Persons burning under any special permit must also check with their regional air quality management district for addition regulations and requirements.
CAL FIRE reminds everyone that it is their individual responsibility to use fire safely and to prevent fires. Visit www.ReadyforWildfire.org for more information on how to prepare for and prevent wildfires.
Anyone with questions about this declaration is urged to contact the nearest CAL FIRE facility. Attached is the official proclamation.
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California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Proclamation Suspending Open Burning
In the CAL FIRE San Mateo/Santa Cruz Unit Santa Clara Unit
Including all State Responsibility Areas and Local Responsibility Areas under contract to CAL FIRE within the following counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, portions of Stanislaus, and Western San Joaquin
Due to the extreme menace of wildfire and its potential to destroy life, property, and natural resources; and due to current and predicted fire weather, the lack of precipitation, the dryness of vegetation, and the increase fire activity; under the authority vested in me by the Director of the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection as per Section 4423.1 of the Public Resources Code, I hereby suspend, except within incorporated cities, the privileges of burning by permit and other use of open fire, with the following exceptions:
- Agricultural, forest management, fire training, vegetation management, and other industrial-type burning may proceed after a CAL FIRE official has inspected the burn site and issued a special permit.
- Campfires within organized campgrounds or on private property are allowed with landowner permission if the campfire is maintained in such a manner as to prevent the campfire from spreading to the wildland vegetation.
This suspension will begin at 8:00 AM Monday, December 30, 2013, and will continue in place until formally cancelled.
This PROCLAMATION is issued at Felton, California, this 30th day of December 2013.
By: Unit Chief’s Scotty Jalbert, Derek Witmer
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection