San Diego County lifts burn permit suspension

EL CAJON – The burn permit suspension in San Diego County was lifted Monday, Jan. 4. Tony Mecham, fire chief of Cal Fire/San Diego County formally canceled the burn permit suspension and advised that those possessing current and valid agriculture and residential burn permits could resume burning on permissible burn days. Agriculture burns must be inspected by Cal Fire before burning, and inspections may be required for residential burns as well. This information can be verified by contacting a Cal Fire station.

Cal Fire burn permits are required for all agriculture and residential burning. Cooler temperatures, higher humidity and the chance of winter weather have helped to begin to diminish the threat of wildfire. Property owners and residents are asked to use caution while conducting debris or agriculture burns, follow all guidelines provided, and maintain control of the fire at all times. Individuals can be held civilly and/or criminally liable for allowing a fire to escape their control and/or burn onto neighboring property.

Residents wishing to burn must verify it is a permissive burn day before burning and record their intention to burn by contacting their local Cal Fire station.

Safe residential pile burning of forest residue by landowners is a crucial tool in reducing fire

hazards. State, federal and local land management and fire agencies will be utilizing this same

window of opportunity to conduct prescribed burns aimed at improving forest health and

resiliency on private and public lands.

For more information on burning, visit http://www.fire.ca.gov.

Submitted by Cal Fire/San Diego County Fire.