Lakeport >>The annual burn ban starts on Sunday to address concerns over both fire hazard and air quality. The burn restriction applies to all areas in Lake County. All burn permits expire on Saturday.
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 which incorporates fire and air agency concerns has been implemented and improved upon, according to Lake County Air Pollution Control Officer Douglas G. Gearhart. The ban allows a quick fire agency response to all fires observed from Sunday on, as they are all assumed to be uncontrolled fires unless specifically authorized by an exemption permit for time and place. 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, Gearhart explained. 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 Sunday, first contact the Lake County Air Quality Management District (LCAQMD) 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 LCAQMD 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.
This fire hazard season, a special chipping program is being setup by Lake County in coordination with the West Lake Resource Conservation District (RCD), and the LCAQMD 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 RCD at (707) 263-4180 ext. 102 for more details. Additional information will be posted at www.lakecountyrecovers.com and www.lcaqmd.net as it becomes available.
“Please help us reduce the danger and losses caused by uncontrolled fires, and protect our designation as the only air basin in the state to meet all ambient air quality standards,” Gearhart said. “Public cooperation is greatly appreciated and results in a safer and more healthful environment for all of us.”
