LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Cal Fire's Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit said it has lifted its burn ban effective this week, but Lake County's head air quality official said the ban remains in place at the local level.
The burn ban in the Cal Fire Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit, which ended at 8 a.m. Monday, specifically covers the State Responsibility Areas unit, which include the counties of Sonoma, Napa, Yolo, Solano and Colusa.
To see the boundaries of the State Responsibility Area, visit http://www.firepreventionfee.org/sraviewer_launch.php .
Cal Fire acknowledged that the burn ban is still in effect in Lake County and residents may not burn until after the end of the 2014 declared fire season.
Air Pollution Control Officer Douglas Gearhart of the Lake County Air Quality Management District said Lake County is still in fire season, so the local ban hasn't been lifted.
“What this means for Lake County is that agricultural operations and fire hazard reduction projects that can show significant economic need can apply for an economic exemption burn permit, which allows burning during fire season with air district and fire district approvals for specific time and date of burn,” Gearhart told Lake County News.
“Once Cal Fire declares an end to the fire season, the burn ban will be lifted for Lake County,” Gearhart added.
In 2013, the burn ban was lifted in mid-December, a month and a half later than in 2012. Local fire officials have noted that the fire season in recent years has lengthened due to dry conditions.
Cal Fire said residents in all areas of the Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit must follow guidelines including contacting local air quality management districts to obtain the proper permits and to determine burn day status.
Despite the cooler temperatures, Cal Fire continues to urge extra caution given the current drought conditions.
For information on safe methods for debris burning, equipment use and wildfire prevention, visit www.PreventWildfireCA.org .
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
Cal Fire lifts burn ban for neighboring counties; Lake County ban remains in place
- Elizabeth Larson
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