Cal Fire Warns: No More Burning in Temecula

TEMECULA, CA- Outdoor burning throughout Temecula and Riverside County is on hold, as the state's firefighting agency has suspended local burn permits, effective immediately. 

As of Monday,  the suspension bans all residential outdoor burning of tumbleweeds and other such debris. 

“Riverside County is no stranger to devastating wildland fires. As we enter California’s fifth year of extreme drought
conditions, we urge residents to prepare their home and family not only during the summer months; but year round," said John R. Hawkins, CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Chief.

Riverside County fire officials say the new requirement also means: 

• Use of campfires is restricted to within established campfire facilities located in established campgrounds open to the public.
• Agricultural burning in the Palo Verde Valley and Coachella Valley is authorized as required for agricultural rehabilitation.
• Cooking fires with a valid permit are permissive when no alternate means of cooking is available and requires an on-site inspection prior to the issuance of a permit.
• Warming fires are permissive and require an on-site inspection prior to the issuance of a permit when weather conditions exist to justify the request. 

Cal Fire says that they have already responded to more than 1,100 wildfires in 2016. 

Though outdoor burning is no longer allowed, the agency stressed that it's important for homeowners living near brush maintain an area of 100 feet of "defensible space."  

"The department may issue restricted temporary burning permits if there is an essential reason due to public health and safety," officials said in a news release.  "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."