MENDOCINO Co., 6/28/18 — CalFire is suspending all outdoor permitted burning beginning July 2 in Mendocino County in order to prevent additional wildfires during the fire season. After a wet winter, fuel levels are high, and with increasingly hot temperatures this fire season might be a bad one. More than 2700 wildfires have occurred throughout the state since January 1, and in the last week alone, the Pawnee Fire has been raging in Lake County while smaller vegetation fires have begun around Mendocino. Another red flag warning has been issued for this weekend.
Homeowners are encouraged to clear defensible space at least 100 feet around their residences, as well as remove vegetation, debris, or leaf piles through alternate means — and to remember that fireworks are also illegal in Mendocino County. “This year is turning out to be just as volatile as last year. The public cannot let their guard down and must continue to be involved in preparation efforts for the upcoming wildfires,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, CalFire director, in a press release. “Again, this year the abundant dead grass will only serve as a fuse to the heavier vegetation still suffering the lasting effects of over five years of drought.”
You can get more information about how to prepare for a wildfire at the CalFire wildfire resource website Ready for Wildfire, which also has an app you can download. You can also sign up for a emergency alerts via the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, the Ukiah Police Department, the City of Fort Bragg, or check with your local municipality, fire or police department to see what system they use for emergency notifications.
Campfires will still be permitted in designated campgrounds; you can get more information at this camping website, Prevent Wildfire CA. CalFire may also issue temporary burn permits for public safety reasons.
Here’s the full press release from the CalFire Mendocino unit about burn permits:
2018-CAL FIRE Suspends Burn Permits in Mendocino County
Mendocino County – After another wet winter, warming temperatures and winds are quickly drying out the abundant annual grass crop. The increasing fire danger posed by the high volume of dead grass and hotter, drier conditions in the region is prompting CAL FIRE to suspend all burn permits for outdoor residential burning within the State Responsibility Area of Mendocino County. This suspension takes effect at 12:01 A.M. on Monday, July 2, 2018 and bans all residential outdoor burning of landscape debris such as branches and leaves.
“This year is turning out to be just as volatile as last year. The public cannot let their guard down and must continue to be involved in preparation efforts for the upcoming wildfires,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, CAL FIRE director. “Again, this year the abundant dead grass will only serve as a fuse to theheavier vegetation still suffering the lasting effects of over five years of drought.”
Since January 1, 2018 CAL FIRE and firefighters across the state have already responded to over 2700 wildfires. While outdoor burning of landscape debris by homeowners is no longer allowed, CAL FIRE is asking residents to take that extra time to ensure that they are prepared for wildfires by maintaining a minimum of 100 feet of Defensible Space around every home and building on their property and being prepared to evacuate if the time comes.
Here are some tips to help prepare homes and property:
- Clear all dead and or dying vegetation 100 feet from around all structures.
- Landscape with fire resistant plants and non-flammable ground cover.
- Find alternative ways to dispose of landscape debris like chipping or hauling it to a biomass energy or green waste facilityThe 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 the campfire is maintained in such a manner as to prevent its spread to the wildland. A campfire permit can be obtained at local fire stations or online at PreventWildfireCA.org.For information on how to create Defensible Space, on how to be prepared for wildfires, as well as tips to prevent wildfires, visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org
