California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Amador-El Dorado Unit

CONTACT: Teri Mizuhara, Fire Prevention Specialist II, 530.708.2724
RELEASE DATE: June 20, 2012

Burn Permit Suspension July 2nd
 

Camino - All burn permits within the State Responsibility Area (SRA) in Amador County and on the western slope of El Dorado County will be suspended at 8 am Monday July 2nd. Unit Chief Kelly Keenan of the Amador-El Dorado Unit of CAL FIRE, has signed a proclamation suspending burn permits (LE-62a's, LE-5's). Chief Keenan adds "time is running out for you to be able to burn your four foot by four foot residential burn piles, so please take this opportunity to complete your burn projects now on permissive burn days. But if you feel it is unsafe to burn because of the conditions in your neighborhood (outdoor temperature, wind, terrain, etc.) hold off until the winter to complete your burning" cautions Chief Keenan who adds "recently we have responded to a number of fires caused by residential debris piles that have escaped the control of the landowner. We even responded to a fire caused by a golf cart driven into high, dry weeds, so everyone needs to be extremely cautious with everything they are doing that can cause a fire."

Reminders for safe burning:

keep all piles no larger than four feet by four feet
have a charged hose and shovel within arm's reach
maintain a 10 foot barrier of bare dirt around each pile
keep a telephone (cell phone, etc.) nearby
only burn vegetation from your property; household trash of any kind is illegal to burn
do not use a burn barrel, they are also illegal
NEVER leave your pile unattended.
Make sure your pile is completely out, pour water, stir with a shovel and check that all the underground embers are no longer burning or smoldering.

Note that this does not apply to the Lake Tahoe Basin so if you have questions regarding the Basin please call 530-543-2600.

For more information regarding proper burning techniques and other life-saving information, please visit the CAL FIRE website at www.fire.ca.gov or the Ready-Set-Go website at www.readyforwildfire.org.

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