Learn Before You BurnLearn Before You Burn

Debris Burning Rules Debris Burning Rules

and Regulationsand Regulations

Plumas County

Permits ‘Permissive Burn Day’ status MUST be determined

before ANY burning is attempted—call local number Quincy 283-3602 - Greenville 284-6520 - Chester 258-2588 Quincy 283-3602 - Greenville 284-6520 - Chester 258-2588

Portola 832-4528 - Vinton/Chilcoot 994-3561Portola 832-4528 - Vinton/Chilcoot 994-3561

“Dooryard” Permits for residential piles are for 4’ diameter debris piles

Larger piles, industrial or agricultural burning need:

special burn permit (issued by CALFIRE) and Air Quality Management District (Air Quality) permit

Debris BurningDebris Burning Burning SeasonBurning Season

‘‘Dooryard’ Burning Permits required May 1Dooryard’ Burning Permits required May 1stst to June 30 to June 30th. th. (Dates may change due to weather)(Dates may change due to weather)

May has no hourly restriction, June hours of burning are 5 am to May has no hourly restriction, June hours of burning are 5 am to 11 am (Plumas County) providing it’s a permissible burn day 11 am (Plumas County) providing it’s a permissible burn day (State air quality regulations)(State air quality regulations)

Burn BAN July 1Burn BAN July 1stst to Nov 1 to Nov 1st st but may vary due to current but may vary due to current fire danger conditionsfire danger conditions

No permit required after bur ban is lifted until May No permit required after bur ban is lifted until May providing it’s a ‘permissive burn day’providing it’s a ‘permissive burn day’

Debris BurningDebris Burning Debris—natural material—pine needles, twigs, Debris—natural material—pine needles, twigs,

branches, leaves branches, leaves Prohibited Materials--garbage, treated/painted Prohibited Materials--garbage, treated/painted

lumber, plywood, tires, paint ...lumber, plywood, tires, paint ... Terms of Permit—CA State Law!Terms of Permit—CA State Law!

Max 4’ diameter, (permit avail. for larger piles)Max 4’ diameter, (permit avail. for larger piles) 10’ feet clearance10’ feet clearance Adult in attendance…extinguish if you leaveAdult in attendance…extinguish if you leave Water supply on site—charged garden hoseWater supply on site—charged garden hose Weather conditions make burning safe (Wind is Weather conditions make burning safe (Wind is

huge factor on escapes)huge factor on escapes)

VIOLATIONS OF ANY BURN PERMIT TERMS

Permit expires 06-30-09 RESIDENTIAL PILE BURN PERMIT STATE OF CALIFORNIA

DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION

Name (Please Print):______________________________ Phone No:___________________________ _

Mailing Address:_____________________________ Physical Address: _______________________________

City: _____________________________ State:_______ Zip:_______________ Sec.___ Twp.____ Rge.____

Burning Location:_________________________________________Field Inspection prior to issue? Yes No I own or legally control the above-described land. I agree to comply with all fire laws, ordinances, regulations, and with all applicable Air Pollution Control District rules and regulations. I further agree to comply with the specific terms of this burning permit.

Signature:_______________________________________ Date:_____________________________________ (Not valid without signature) Director, Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Issued by:________________________________________ Date:_____________________________________

CONDITIONS OF USE This permit is valid only on days which are determined permissive burn days by the local air pollution control district pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 39298. Burn Day info: 832-4528

Burn Ban in effect July 1 – Oct. 31. After Nov. 1 contact recording (530) 836-7125 to see if burn ban has been lifted. This permit is void during suspension of burning by the Director of the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

Hours: May 1–May 31 open hours June 1–30 5 a.m. – 11 a.m. only

Burn in small heaps and piles (vegetation) no more than 4’ X 4’ in size

Pile Burning Terms: 1. Maximum pile size 4 foot diameter. 2. Area within 10 feet of outer edge of pile shall be

maintained free and clear of all flammable material and vegetation.

3. Adult must be in attendance with shovel until fire is dead out.

4. Water supply required at burning site. 5. No burning shall be undertaken unless weather

conditions (particularly wind) are such that burning can be considered safe.

Beginning on January 1, 2004, no household trash or garbage can be burned outdoors at residences. Dry, natural vegetation, grown on the property, can still be burned outdoors in open piles with a valid burn permit. Burn barrels will not be allowed for burning waste, including vegetation, at residences.

BBUURRNN

PPEERRMMIITT

Debris Burning--EscapesDebris Burning--Escapes Most common person-caused wildfire Most common person-caused wildfire

in Plumas County is an escaped debris in Plumas County is an escaped debris burnburn

May 2007—Clifton Fire, 66 ac., May 2007—Clifton Fire, 66 ac., threatened homes, owner liable for threatened homes, owner liable for large suppression billlarge suppression bill

Follow terms of permit, Follow terms of permit, alwaysalways Safest Burning conditions—burn Safest Burning conditions—burn

covered pile during rain or snowcovered pile during rain or snow

Debris Burning Debris Burning

Prohibited Activities:Prohibited Activities: Burning w/o permit (when needed)Burning w/o permit (when needed) Violation of permit requirementsViolation of permit requirements Failure to be in attendance or Failure to be in attendance or

extinguishing the fireextinguishing the fire Burning on a “no burn day”Burning on a “no burn day” Use of a burn barrel, unless authorizedUse of a burn barrel, unless authorized

Alternatives to BurningAlternatives to Burning

Green Waste Disposal SitesGreen Waste Disposal Sites Haul debris—burn collectively, co-gen plant Haul debris—burn collectively, co-gen plant

produces electricityproduces electricity Portola—Intermountain Disposal @ landfill, feePortola—Intermountain Disposal @ landfill, fee Quincy—Sierra Pacific Industries, no feeQuincy—Sierra Pacific Industries, no fee Westwood—Mt. Lassen Power—no fee except for building Westwood—Mt. Lassen Power—no fee except for building

materialmaterial

Chipping/Shredding—reduces fire risk due to its Chipping/Shredding—reduces fire risk due to its composition, keeps nutrients on site, contractors availablecomposition, keeps nutrients on site, contractors available

Composting—nutrients stay on site, reduces smoke Composting—nutrients stay on site, reduces smoke pollution, best with leaves, difficult with needles/branchespollution, best with leaves, difficult with needles/branches

Burn Permits Suspended July 1st (or earlier due to fire danger)

For updated info on burning call:Plumas National Forest Supervisor’s Office- 159 Lawrence Street Quincy Ca. - 283-2050Mt. Hough Ranger District Office- 39696 State Highway 70, Quincy Ca. -283-0555Greenville Work Center- 122 Hot Springs Road Greenville, Ca. - 284-7126Beckwourth Ranger District Office- Mohawk Road, Blairsden Ca. - 836-2575Almanor Ranger District Office- Highway 36 Chester, CA. – 258-2141Cal Fire – Westwood Fire Station – 3rd and Greenwood, Westwood, Ca. – 256-3203

Plumas County