Press release from Calfire:

California has already experienced an unusually early start to wildfire activity amidst an ongoing drought and historically low rainfall and reservoir levels. While wildfires are a natural part of California’s landscape, wildfire activity in California and across the west is starting earlier and ending later each year. Warmer spring and summer temperatures, reduced snowpack, and earlier spring snowmelt create longer and more intense dry seasons that increase moisture stress on vegetation making forests more susceptible to severe wildfire.

The increasing fire danger posed by 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 Humboldt, Del Norte, and Western Trinity Counties. This suspension takes effect July 25th, 2022 and bans all residential outdoor burning of landscape debris such as branches and leaves.

“California wildfires continue to threaten our communities,” said Chief Joe Tyler, CAL FIRE Director. “With the conditions set for an early start of the 2022 fire season, it is imperative that we collectively take preventative steps now to prepare, and we ask all Californians to do their part in wildfire preparedness.”

Humboldt – Del Norte Unit Chief Kurt McCray is appreciative of residents and various community groups as well as cooperating government organizations who have conducted their burning safely this year. Safe burning helps reduce hazardous wildland fuels and allows the burning season to continue longer. Now, warmer and drier weather across the state has led to increasing wildfire danger. This, along with commitment of fire suppression resources across the northern California, has led to the implementation of the burn suspension in Humboldt, Del Norte and western Trinity Counties, effective at 6:00 a.m. July 25th, 2022.

While outdoor burning of landscape debris by homeowners is no longer allowed, CAL FIRE is asking residents to take that extra time to prepare your home for wildfire by creating defensible space and hardening your home ahead of wildfires.

Here are some tips to help prepare homes and property for wildfire preparedness:

• 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 facility

CAL FIRE 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 collaborative prescribed fuel reduction 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 valid campfire permit is required and can be obtained online at www.ReadyForWildfire.org.

For additional information on how to create Defensible Space, Home Hardening, Evacuation Planning and how to be prepared for wildfires, as well as tips to prevent wildfires, visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org.