Starting Monday, CAL FIRE is suspending all burn permits for outdoor residential burning within the State Responsibility Area of San Diego and Imperial Counties.
The suspension bans all residential outdoor burning of landscape debris like branches and leaves.
“San Diego lives with the threat of wildfire year round and it is critical that the public do their part to be extra fire safe when outdoors” said Tony Mecham CAL FIRE San Diego Unit and County Fire Chief.
Firefighters have already responded to more than 1,700 wildfires that have burned nearly 30,000 acres since January.
“As conditions across California are drying out further we must take every step to prevent new wildfires from sparking,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, CAL FIRE director. “Residents must ensure they have Defensible Space by removing dead trees and overgrown vegetation from around their homes, but do so safely.”
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 and online at PreventWildfireCA's website.
