Warming temperatures, dry winds, and abundant annual grass growth are rapidly increasing fire danger across the region. In response, the CAL FIRE Amador-El Dorado Unit (AEU) is suspending all burn permits for outdoor residential debris burning within the State Responsibility Areas (SRA) of Alpine, Amador, El Dorado, Sacramento, and San Joaquin counties. This suspension takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, June 16, and prohibits all residential outdoor burning of landscape debris such as branches and leaves.

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 it is maintained in such a manner as to prevent its spread to the wildland. A campfire permit can be obtained at https://www.readyforwildfire.org/permits/campfire-permit/.

For additional information on how to create Defensible Space, on how to be prepared for wildfires, as well as tips to prevent wildfires, visit https://readyforwildfire.org/.