Cal Fire on Friday lifted the suspension on burn permits, as recent rains and cooler weather have severely reduced wildfire risk in San Diego County’s backcountry.
People with agricultural and residential burn permits can now conduct burns on allowed burn days from 8 a.m. to sunset. However, Cal Fire must still inspect before agricultural burns, and possibly before residential burns. Permit holders must always notify their Cal Fire station before conducting a burn.
Even though the region has gotten above-average precipitation so far this rainy season, which began Oct. 1, Cal Fire urged extreme caution when conducting a burn, emphasizing that the permit holder must have control over the fire at all times. People can be held criminally and/or civilly liable if a burn gets out of control, fire officials warned.
“Safe residential pile burning remains a crucial tool for mitigating wildfire hazards,” Cal Fire said in a statement. “During this favorable weather window, state, federal and local agencies will also be conducting prescribed burns to improve forest health and resiliency on both public and private lands.”
More information can be found at burnpermit.fire.ca.gov.