After another wet winter, warm temperatures and winds are quickly drying out the superbloom vegetation and grasses in San Bernardino County. The increasing fire danger posed by the high volume of dead vegetation and hotter, drier conditions in the region has led to the County Fire Department and Cal Fire to suspend all burn permits, including in the State Responsibility Areas of San Bernardino County. These burn suspensions took effect on Monday, June 3, and ban all residential outdoor burning of landscape debris such as branches and leaves. For more information about the suspension of burn permits, and keeping your property safe from wildfires, see the complete Cal Fire and County Fire reports below.
FROM CALFIRE:
“Last year was a devastating reminder that the public cannot let their guard down. Together, we must adapt and evolve to be able to withstand the intensity of these fires, keeping in mind, that the only way to mitigate the damage they cause is through preparation,” said Chief Thom Porter, CAL FIRE director. “The dry, hot weather that fueled the massive fires last year will return again this year, so it is up to the public to be ready.”
CAL FIRE’s Unit Chief for San Bernardino, Glenn Barley said that “last year’s incredibly destructive fire season is a stark reminder to all Californians to be prepared for wildfires.”
Since January 1, 2019 CAL FIRE and firefighters across the state have already responded to over 950 wildfires. While outdoor burning of landscape debris by homeowners is no longer allowed, CAL FIRE is asking residents to take time to ensure that they are prepared for wildfires by maintaining a minimum of 100 feet of Defensible Space around every home and buildings on their property and being prepared to evacuate if the time comes.
Here are some tips to help prepare homes and property:
• Clear all dead and or dying vegetation 100 feet from 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.
For additional information on how to create Defensible Space, on how to be prepared for wildfires, as well as tips to prevent wildfires, visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org
FROM COUNTY FIRE:
Division 4 – All unincorporated South Desert and River Areas, as well as the Town of Yucca Valley, the City of 29 Palms, and the City of Needles, with the exception of Morongo Valley.
THIS SUSPENSION SHALL TAKE EFFECT MONDAY, JUNE 3, 2019, AT 0600 HOURS AND SHALL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL LIFTED.
Covered barbeques as well as recreational fires fueled solely by natural gas or propane are exempt from this suspension. Cooking fires of any type are permissible under permit only when NO alternate means of cooking are available. Open fires conducted in the course of filming, public fireworks displays, or ceremonial events are exempt if properly permitted and conducted by a licensed professional, or other responsible person, when the attending fire department Fire Safety Officer determines that local climactic conditions are safe. Residential burning of trash, yard clippings and tree trimmings are ALWAYS prohibited in the Mountain and Valley areas, regardless of conditions. Regardless of location or permit conditions, ALL open fires (except for fires fueled solely by natural gas or propane) must be extinguished during Red Flag or Fire Weather Watch Conditions, when local winds exceed 10 miles per hour or when directed by Fire Department personnel. Please check with CalFire within State Responsibility Areas, the United States Forest Service (USFS) within the Angeles and San Bernardino National Forests, or the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) within outlying desert regions for additional restrictions and permitting requirements. Unlawful fires may result in administrative or legal action against the person kindling the fire and/or the owner of the property on which the fire occurs.
