Lake County burn ban to end Nov. 10

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LAKE COUNTY – The annual burn ban for 2008 will end on Monday, Nov. 10, with Cal Fire declaring an end to fire hazard season.


Lake County's joint Fire and Air Quality Management District’s open burning program has incorporated both fire safety and air quality management since 1987.


The program has greatly contributed to the community’s superior fire safety and air quality, according to county Pollution Control Officer Doug Gearhart.


Burn permits are required for all burning in the Lake County Air Basin. Contact your local fire protection agency for a burn permit or the Lake County Air Quality Management District to obtain a smoke management plan.


A smoke management plan is required for all burns over 20 acres in size, multi-day burns, standing vegetation burns, and whole tree or vine removals over an acre.


A fee is required for all burn permits, payable at the time the permit is issued. Agricultural and residential burn permits, as well as smoke management plans, are $22 and land development/lot clearing burn permits are $68.


Only clean dry vegetation that was grown on the property may be burned. Residential burn permits require a one-acre or larger lot, a burn location that is located at least 100 feet from all neighbors and 30ft from any structure.


Land clearing burns require special permits available at your local fire agency. Burn only the amount of material that can be completely consumed during the allowed burning hours. Read your burn permit carefully and follow all the conditions.


Each day of the burning season is designated as a “no burn day,” a “limited burn day” or a “permissive burn day.” On no burn days all open burning is prohibited, unless an exemption has been given for a specific burn.


Burning is generally allowed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. only on permissive burn days. Read your permit for allowed hours of burning.


The daily burn day status information is available for North County at 263-3121 and South County at 994-4444.


Consider using the vegetative waste pickup provided with your waste collection services or composting as an alternative to burning leaves. Contact your local Fire Safe Council for chipping information. For South County go to www.southlakefiresafecouncil.org or your local fire station, for all other areas of the county call 279-2968.


The law requires that an able-bodied adult supervise all fires. Burning even a small amount of illegal material can result in toxic ash and smoke that contain cancer-causing substances and contribute to other health problems.


Burning prohibited materials can also result in significant fines. Some people have smoke allergies and/or respiratory problems and their health is degraded by even small amounts of smoke. Please be considerate of your neighbors.


A permit does not allow you to create health problems for others and you can be liable for fines and other costs associated with your burning.


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