Serving the communities of Hessel, Twin Hills, Freestone, Rural Sebastopol and the Bennett Valley Fire District
Burn Season is closing
April 30th.
Burn Season is normally open from November 1st through April 30th. Call the Hotline at (1-800-792-0787) to determine the daily burn status for the Coastal Zone before burning.
BURN PERMIT REQUIREMENTS
Effective November 1, 2007, burn permits for agricultural fires will no longer be issued or required by the Gold Ridge Fire Protection District. BAAQMD regulations require that they be notified on a BAAQMD-approved form prior to burning. Notification must be sent by FAX, mail (postmarked at least 5 days prior to burning), or electronically. Verbal notification to BAAQMD is no longer an acceptable compliance option. See the BAAQMD website for additional on open burning.
Hazard permits for materials exceeding 5 cubic yards and inaccessible by automobile or chipper, leaving no other disposal option other than burning, will be issued by Gold Ridge Fire Protection District and an inspection for fire safety and air quality compliance will be conducted prior to burning.
Burning of residential or backyard waste, garden trimmings, leaves, landscape debris and cuttings is strictly prohibited and subject to enforcement and a fine issued by BAAQMD.
CONTROLLED-BURN GUIDELINES
Burning of residential or backyard waste, garden trimmings, leaves, landscape ( tree branches, plants and grass) debris and cuttings is strictly prohibited and subject to enforcement and a fine.
In the interest of public safety, Gold Ridge Fire Protection District (GRFPD) provides the following information/guidelines:
Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) regulations require that they be notified on a BAAQMD-approved notification form prior to burning. Notification must be sent by FAX, mail (postmarked at least 5 days prior to burning), or electronically. Note that verbal notification to BAAQMD is no longer an acceptable compliance option.
Burn only on permissive burn days, when weather conditions make it safe to do so.
- · To determine if it’s a burn day, call 1-800-792-0787
- · You are in the Coastal Zone of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District – Northern Zone is East of Hwy. 101; Coastal Zone is West of Hwy. 101
- · Notify County Fire Dispatch prior to burning at 565-1700
NOTE: The information provided at 1-800-792-0787 is based solely on air quality and does not take into consideration any safety factors. Therefore, it may be a permissible burn day but not a safe burn day.
No burning is allowed before 10:00 am, and you may not add anything to the fire after 3:00 pm. All fires must be completely extinguished by sunset. Allowing materials such as stumps or tree trunks to smolder after sunset is prohibited.
Do not burn if the following conditions exist:
- · Winds in excess of 10 mph
- · Heat above 90 degrees
Burn only acceptable materials:
- · You may burn only the byproducts of your agricultural business, e.g., dry prunings, vines, etc. You may not burn stakes, trash, etc.
- · Materials must be dry and arranged to promote rapid combustion.
- · The burning of treated/painted wood, household garbage, plastic materials, shop waste, wood waste, demolition debris, oil filters, tires, tar paper is strictly prohibited.
General safety practices:
- · Fires must be under the control of an adult at all times until the fire is dead out.
- · Have shovels and other tools nearby.
- · Have at least 5 gallons of water at the burn site; a hose connected to a water supply is preferable.
- · Keep fires small and manageable—maximum allowed pile size is 4 feet in diameter.
- · Keep fire a minimum of 50 feet from combustibles, property lines, structures, overhead wires, vehicles, etc.
Failing to follow regulations and guidelines and/or an escaped controlled burn may result in your having to pay one or more of the following:
- · A fine
- · Cost of damage to anyone else’s property
- · Costs incurred by all agencies responding to the fire, including but not limited to:
- Equipment and labor costs
- Damaged equipment repair/replacement