CAL FIRE suspends burn permits in Placer, Nevada, Yuba, Sierra counties

The increasing fire danger posed by the high volume of dead grass and hotter, drier conditions in the region has prompted CAL FIRE to suspend all burn permits for outdoor residential burning within the state responsibility area of Nevada, Yuba, Placer and Sierra counties. The suspension took effect at 8 a.m. Monday, June 15, and bans all residential outdoor burning of landscape debris such as branches and leaves. Since Jan. 1, CAL FIRE and firefighters across the state have already responded to 31,489 fires, up 6,660 from 2025 with 60,773 total acres burned. While outdoor burning of landscape debris by homeowners is no longer allowed, CAL FIRE is asking residents to take extra time to ensure they are prepared for wildfires by maintaining a minimum of 100 feet of defensible space around their homes and any outbuildings on their property and be prepared 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 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. For additional information on how to create defensible space and be prepared for wildfires, as well as tips to prevent wildfires, visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org.