MARIPOSA– After another wet winter and above-average snowpack, warming temperatures and winds are quickly drying out the abundant annual grass crop. The increasing fire danger posed by the high volume of dead grass and hotter, drier conditions in the region is prompting CAL FIRE to suspend all burn permits for outdoor residential burning within the State Responsibility Area of Madera, Mariposa, and Merced. This suspension takes effect on June 17, 2024. It bans all residential outdoor burning of landscape debris such as branches and leaves.
This year’s grass crop flourished due to the amount of rainfall over the winter months. Tall grass will contribute to the rapid spread of wildfires, so it’s important residents stay vigilant and prepare their homes for the upcoming summer months. –CAL FIRE Unit Chief Mike van Loben Sels
Since January 1, 2024, CAL FIRE and firefighters across the state have already responded to over 1,700 wildfires. With outdoor burning now prohibited, CAL FIRE urges residents to use that time to prepare for wildfires. This includes maintaining at least 100 feet of defensible space around every home and building on their property. Residents should also prepare to evacuate if the time comes.
Here are some tips to help prepare homes and property:
• Clear all dead and or dying vegetation 100 feet from around all structures.
• Landscape with fire resistant plants and non-flammable ground cover.
• Find alternative ways to dispose of landscape debris. This could include 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. A CAL FIRE official will inspect the burn site and issue a special permit.
The suspension of burn permits for residential landscape debris does not apply to campfires within organized campgrounds. It does not apply to private property campfires either. A campfire permit is permitted if the campfire is maintained in such a manner as to prevent its spread to the wildland. Campfire permits are available at local fire stations or online at PreventWildfireCA.org.
For additional information on how to create Defensible Space visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org. There’s also information on how to be ready for wildfires, as well as tips to prevent wildfires.