LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County's annual burn ban – meant to address concerns about fire hazards and air quality – will begin this year on May 1.
The burn restriction applies to all areas in Lake County. All burn permits expire on April 30.
An annual burn ban was first implemented in 1986 in response to weather conditions that often create extreme fire danger and poor air quality.
For many years a managed approach incorporating fire and air agency concerns has been implemented and improved upon, according to the Lake County Air Quality Management District.
The ban allows a quick fire agency response to all fires observed from May 1 onward, as they are all assumed to be uncontrolled fires unless specifically authorized by an exemption permit for time and place, officials said.
The air quality management district said this program is one of the primary reasons Lake County has superior and healthful air quality.
The ban also helps prevent smoke impacts to the general public and large planned outdoor events from unrestricted vegetative waste burns.
The burn ban includes all open waste burning, though exceptions are possible for agricultural operations, essential control burns for fire safety projects, public safety burns, specific burns in the Valley fire recovery areas and others.
To obtain an exemption for a necessary burn after May 1, first contact the Lake County Air Quality Management District to determine need, then your local fire protection agency so that your burn site can be inspected and evaluated for fire safety.
Only after the fire agency has inspected the burn site and notified the Lake County Air Quality Management District that the proposed burn is fire safe, can you obtain a written exemption permit.
Anyone responsible for open burning during the ban without a valid written exemption permit may be subject to a citation fines, and the cost of the Fire Agency response to extinguish the fire.
Burn restrictions will remain in effect until Cal Fire declares an end to fire season, the air district said.
This fire hazard season, a special chipping program is being set up by the county of Lake in coordination with the West Lake Resource Conservation District, and the Lake County Air Quality Management District for properties affected by the Valley fire.
Chipping services may be available in the burn area, focusing on the smaller residential lots that have fire-damaged debris that must be disposed of prior to rebuilding. Contact the West Lake Resource Conservation District at 707-263-4180, Extension 102 for more details.
Additional information will be posted at www.lakecountyrecovers.com and www.lcaqmd.net as it becomes available.
Public cooperation is greatly appreciated and results in a safer and more healthful environment for county residents, as the ban helps reduce the danger and losses caused by uncontrolled fires, and protects the county's designation as the only air basin in the state to meet all ambient air quality standards, the Lake County Air Quality Management District said.
Annual Lake County burn ban begins May 1
- Lake County News reports
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