BURN DAY INFORMATION

  BURN ONLY ON PERMISSIVE BURN DAYS

BURN SEASON REGULATIONS
NOVEMBER 1, 2008
Burn barrels are illegal in Mendocino County
Burn ONLY on permissive burn days

INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS OF FORT BRAGG:
Burn permit required for ALL burning; available FBFD

OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS:
4’ X 4’ or smaller ( “Dooryard burn”) – no permit required

OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS:
Larger than 4’ X 4’ (agricultural burn) – permit required from Air Quality Management in Ukiah

AIR QUALITY PHONE NUMBERS:
Main number: 1-800-992-5441; then enter numbers below at the prompt:
For burn day recording: enter 4391
To obtain a burn permit by mail: enter 4354
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Steve Orsi, Fire Chief


The Fort Bragg Fire Department deals with open burning on a regular basis this time of year. As Chief, I am constantly questioned on burn regulations, the department’s stance on burning and “why isn’t today a burn day?” The department thought it would be timely to get an article out answering some of those questions.

First, Air Quality Management decides, on a daily basis, whether or not it is a permissive burn day. It has nothing to do with fire safety. Their concern is air quality only. Their job is to allow burning only on days that include enough air movement to dissipate the smoke, making it less irritable for neighbors. This is where the fire department hopes people will use common sense. Using only the criteria of “air movement,” extremely windy days will fit into the category of permissive burn days. The FBFD strongly suggests that, although it maybe “permissive” to burn, do not burn during strong wind events. On the flip side of that are the days that are socked in with fog, a little drizzly, no wind. Many days like this will be “no burn days.” The air is not moving and smoke will fill the neighborhoods.

Burning within the city limits of Fort Bragg is allowed on a very limited basis and it always requires a permit from the fire department. First-time permits will also require a burn site approval by the department. Outside of the city limits, burning of small piles (4’ X 4’) is considered a “door yard” burn and no permit is required. All burning must be done on burn days. Burn day information can be found at 1-800-992-5441 (enter 4391 at prompt).

Burn barrels are strictly prohibited in Mendocino County and will net you a large fine from Air Quality if you are caught burning in one. It is never legal to burn anything other than vegetation grown on your own property.

The fire department’s stance on burning is that we support it. Clearing of vegetation around one’s property lessens the threat of fire during the late summer/early fall months when we are the most susceptible to fire spread. Clearing dead brush, limbs and leaves and burning them in the winter months goes a long ways in preventing wildland fires. By allowing citizens to burn this cleared vegetation it not only saves disposal fees, but lessens the waste generated by our area. It is the department’s hope that local citizens will do all they can to limit the liabilities of open burning so that we can all continue to use this handy tool. Remember the following: don’t burn on windy days; always have at least 10’ of clearance around your burn pile; always stay in attendance while fire is burning; try not to let your pile smolder (as it creates much more smoke); burn only on burn days; and try to use common sense. Work with your neighbors. The less complaints generated by burning, the longer residents will be allowed to do so.