SIERRA FOOTHILLS — As cooler weather rolls in, the urge to torch off those burn piles is only natural.
However, Cal Fire Battalion Chief Troy Cheek warns that the fire danger has not been mitigated, and a burn ban remains in place.
“We don’t foresee the ban being lifted until well into November or December,” says Cheek. “We’re going to err on the side of caution.”
Chief Cheek advises residents to get those piles ready, cover them if needed, and then wait.
SNO will let everyone know immediately when the burn ban is lifted, and in the meantime, you can stop in at your nearest Cal Fire station to get a burn permit so you’ll be ready to go when it’s okay to burn.
As for the all the dead trees, Chief Cheek says that while they’ve “been a little busy lately,” Cal Fire does plan to start working again with Madera County Roads, Caltrans and the Forest Service to continue addressing hazards along roadways, and fuel breaks.
Cheek also reminds everyone to check the batteries in their smoke detectors and CO2 alarms, make sure that pipes and chimneys are clear of buildup, and clean the screens on top of stovepipes.
