Residential Burning Banned Across Riverside County: What Homeowners Should Know

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Firefighters have suspended all burn permits for outdoor residential burning in Riverside County, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department announced this week.

Starting Sunday, Cal Fire will impose a ban on all residential outdoor burning of landscape debris and outdoor fires in Riverside County, they say. The call went out to area residents as warming temperatures and strong winds have rapidly dried out the annual grasses and vegetation throughout Riverside County, creating a dense layer of dry fuel that significantly increases the risk of wildfires. Already this season, fires have ignited in the Coachella Valley, Anza, Murrieta, Perris, and near Temecula.

"Due to these dangerous conditions, Cal Fire is suspending all burn permits for outdoor residential burning within the State Responsibility Area of Riverside County," they said in a prepared statement. "This suspension is a necessary step to help prevent wildfires and protect lives, property, and natural resources."

This suspension prohibits all residential outdoor burning of landscape debris, including branches and leaves. Agricultural burning in the Palo Verde Valley and Coachella Valley is authorized as required for agrarian rehabilitation.

Fire Chief Bill Weiser spoke about the necessity of being vigilant during this dry season.

“As we enter the summer season, temperatures will increase and the abundant vegetation will dry out," Weiser said. "We urge residents to prepare their homes, clear overgrown parcels, and comply with this restriction until it is determined that it is safe to resume open burning."

Cal Fire is also asking residents to take that extra time to ensure that they are prepared for wildfires by maintaining a minimum of 100 feet of Defensible Space around every home and building on their property and being prepared to evacuate if the time comes.

Here are some tips to help prepare homes and property:

• Remember “Zone Zero”, the ember-resistant zone: Keep all combustible materials out of the five-foot zone immediately surrounding your home.
• Clear all dead or dying vegetation 100 feet 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

The department 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 industrial-type 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 campfire permit can be obtained at local fire stations or online at
www.PreventWildfireCA.org.

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