Backyard Burns Halted In Santa Cruz County, Cal Fire Says

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — Cal Fire is suspending backyard burns in Santa Cruz County due to concerns about warming, dry and windy conditions.

The suspension went into effect Friday, May 1 and banned burning of landscape debris without a Cal Fire burn permit.

February was the driest month since the 1850s in California, Cal Fire said in a news release. Winds and warmer temperatures are drying out grasses.

Cal Fire and firefighters have responded to more than 800 wildfires this year.

Temporary burning permits may be issued if there is an essential reason to do so in the name of public health or public safety, Cal Fire said. Burning related to agriculture, land management, fire training and other industrial burning may proceed after Cal Fire inspects the site and issues a permit.

Since people have more time on their hands, "now's the time to get your defensible space done, especially while things are green," said Cal Fire San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit Division Chief Rich Sampson. "No matter what we're going to have fire season this year."

Santa Cruz County residents are asked to:

• Clear dead/dying vegetation from 100 feet around buildings;
• Landscape with fire-resistant plans and non-flammable ground cover;
• Consider chipping landscape debris or hauling to a biomass energy/green waste facility.

Learn more about wildfire preparation here.

Camp fires are still permissible on private property or at campgrounds, so long as they are maintained to prevent spread to brush. Camp fire permits may be obtained here or at local fire stations.