Safe residential pile burning of forest residue by landowners is a crucial tool in reducing fire hazards. Photo by StockSnap via Pixabay

BUTTE COUNTY, CA (MPG) - Effective 8 a.m. Friday, Nov. 1, the burn permit suspension in Butte County will be lifted.

CAL FIRE Butte Unit Chief Garrett Sjolund is formally cancelling the burn permit suspension and advises that those possessing current burn permits may now resume burning on permissible burn days. All CAL FIRE burn permits are issued annually and can be obtained online at burnpermit.fire.ca.gov/ or through your local jurisdiction at bereadybutte.com/burn-permits/.

CAL FIRE burn permits will be required until the end of the declared fire season. Cooler temperatures, higher humidity and the chance of winter weather have begun to diminish the threat of wildfire. Property owners and residents are asked to use caution while conducting debris or agriculture burns, follow all guidelines provided, and maintain control of the fire at all times. Individuals can be held civilly and/or criminally liable for allowing a fire to escape their control and/or burn onto neighboring property.

Residents wishing to burn MUST verify it is a permissible burn day prior to burning.

Visit https://bcaqmd.org/ or call 855-332-9407 (residential) or 855-332-9406 (agricultural) for burn day status and to familiarize yourself with BCAQMD regulations.

Residential Pile Burning Requirements

Only dry, natural vegetative material such as leaves, pine needles, and tree trimmings may be burned.

The burning of trash, painted wood, or other debris is not allowed.

Do NOT burn on windy days.

Piles should be no larger than four feet in diameter and in height. You can add to the pile as it burns down.

Clear a 10-foot diameter down to bare soil around your piles.

Have a shovel and a water source nearby.

An adult is always required to be in attendance of the fire.

Safe residential pile burning of forest residue by landowners is a crucial tool in reducing fire hazards. State, federal and local land management and fire agencies will also be utilizing this same window of opportunity to conduct prescribed burns aimed at improving forest health and resiliency on private and public lands.

For more information on burning, visit the CAL FIRE website at www.fire.ca.gov. and the Be Ready Butte website at https://bereadybutte.com.