RELEASE DATE: 10/29/10
CONTACTS: APCD, Compliance Division -- 781-5912
CAL FIRE, Chad Zrelak 784-7420
Close of Fire Season
and
Annual Open Burn Season Will Start Monday, November 1, 2010
Effective Monday, November 1, 2010, with the close of fire season, CAL FIRE will transition to
winter preparedness (staffing levels) for San Obispo County.
With the transition phase, staffing levels for CAL FIRE seasonal wildland firefighting resources
will be reduced. Although fire season is closing, residents are reminded wildfires can occur
during unexpected hot and windy days.
Monday, November 1, 2010, also marks the start of the 2010-2011 open burn season in San Luis
Obispo County. The burn season, which typically runs annually from the end of fire season
through the end of April, affects the burning of residential yard trimmings in backyards and
agricultural wastes. Open burn season normally closes at the end of April when local fire
agencies typically predict an increasing risk of wildfires from drying brush and grass.
All burning requires a permit from San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District
(APCD). Backyard burning may only be conducted on residential property outside urban and
village reserve lines in rural areas on a designated “Burn Day”. APCD backyard burn permit
applications are available at most CAL FIRE/San Luis Obispo County Fire stations, the APCD
office, some libraries and the Nipomo and San Miguel CSD offices.
APCD agricultural burn permits may be obtained from a CAL FIRE/San Luis Obispo County
Fire station or the APCD office.
Open burning releases a substantial amount of air pollution that is harmful to public health, and
residents must exercise caution when conducting burning operations. Burning during windy
conditions frequently results in expensive escape fires. CAL FIRE and APCD urge residents to
seek alternatives to burning, such as green-waste disposal, chipping and composting.
For information about burning in San Luis Obispo County, please contact the Air District's
Compliance Division at (805) 781-5912, or check our web site at www.slocleanair.org. Call
1-800-834-2876 for information on whether or not it is a Burn Day.
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