LAKE COUNTY — The annual Lake County Burn Ban was lifted on Monday 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 and has contributed to the community”s superior fire safety and air quality, according to Air Pollution Control Manager Doug Gearhart.
Burn permits are required for all burning in the Lake County Air Basin. Contact a fire protection agency for a burn permit or the Lake County Air Quality Management District (LCAQMD) to obtain a Smoke Management Plan, which is required for all burns more than 20 acres in size, multi-day burns, standing vegetation burns, whole tree or vine removals more than one acre and other burns where significant smoke impacts may occur or sensitive receptors may be impacted, Gearhart stated.
A fee is required for all burn permits, payable at the time the permit is issued. Burn permits and Smoke Management Plans cost $24, while Land Development and Lot Clearing burn permits cost $72.
Only clean dry, vegetation that was grown on the property may be burned, Gearhart stated. Residential burn permits require a one-acre or larger lot, a burn location that is located at least 100 feet from all neighbors and a burn location at least 30 feet from any structure. Lot clearing burns require special permits available at fire agencies. Burn only the amount of material that can be completely consumed during the allowed burning hours.
Each day of the burning season is designated as a No Burn Day a Limited Burn Day or an Extended Burn Day. On No Burn Days, all open burning is prohibited, unless an economic exemption has been given for a specific burn.
Contact the LCAQMD for details. On all permissive burn days, burning is generally allowed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. only. Extended burn days allow burning during daylight hours for certain agricultural burn permit holders with specific approval for extended hours. Read the permit for allowed hours of burning.
Consider using the vegetative waste pickup provided with your waste collection services or composting as an alternative to burning leaves, Gearhart state. Improper leaf burning can produce excessive smoke creating a health hazard and potentially a public nuisance. Contact Fire Safe Council for chipping information. Residents of the South Lake Fire Protection District should visit www.southlakefiresafecouncil.org or a fire station. For all other areas of the county, call 263-4180 ext. 106 or a fire station.
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, Gearhart stated. Burning prohibited materials can also result in significant fines. Some people have smoke allergies and or respitory problems and their health is degraded by even small amounts of smoke.
For information, call the LCAQMD at 263-7000.
