‘Extreme Fire Danger’ Prompts Ban On Outdoor Burning

EAST BAY, CA — Due to “extreme fire conditions,” Cal Fire has issued a ban on all outdoor burning in the State Responsibility Areas within Santa Clara, Alameda, and Contra Costa counties and the western portions of Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties. All East Bay Regional Parks are included in the restriction.

The East Bay Regional Parks issued the following restrictions, which are in effect:

• No open fires, campfires, wood burning or charcoal barbeques are permitted EXCEPT gas or propane-fueled stoves.
• Visitors to campgrounds must clear all flammable material for ten feet in all directions from their camp stove, have a shovel available, and ensure that a responsible person attends the stove always during use.
• Smoking is prohibited in ALL East Bay Regional Parks.
• No use of gasoline powered equipment (generators) outside of designated campgrounds or developed recreation areas.
• Increased monitoring, patrol and strict enforcement of these restrictions will occur by East Bay Regional Park District police and fire personnel, park staff and volunteer trail safety patrollers.

Thousands of firefighters from across the country and as far away as Australia are battling 17 deadly fires across California.

Photo courtesy Autumn Johnson/ Patch