Back Yard Burns Suspended

As California enters its 2nd consecutive dry year. And with a trend of warming and drying weather, CalFire has ended the backyard burn season for Santa Cruz County. This suspension takes effect May 1, 2021 and bans all residential outdoor burning of landscape debris such as branches and leaves, without a burn permit issued by CAL FIRE.

Since January 1, 2021 CAL FIRE and firefighters across the state have already responded to over 1,354 wildfires. While outdoor burning of landscape debris by homeowners is no longer allowed, CAL FIRE, and Felton Fire, is asking residents to take extra time to ensure that they are prepared for wildfires by maintaining a minimum of 100 feet of Defensible Space around every home and buildings on their property and to be prepared to evacuate if the time comes.

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 backyard burns 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.

For more information on how to prepare your home for wildfire, contact our FireWise specialist Audrey Dawson at: [email protected].