Learn Before You Burn

1. Learn Before You Burn Debris Burning Rules and Regulations Plumas County

2. Permits • ‘Permissive Burn Day’ status MUST be determined before ANY burning is attempted—call local number Quincy 283-3602 - Greenville 284-6520 - Chester 258-2588 Portola 832-4528 - Vinton/Chilcoot 994-3561 • “Dooryard” Permits for residential piles are for 4’ diameter debris piles • Larger piles, industrial or agricultural burning need: • special burn permit (issued by CALFIRE) and • Air Quality Management District (Air Quality) permit

3. Debris Burning • Burning Season • ‘Dooryard’ Burning Permits required May 1st to June 30th. (Dates may change due to weather) • May has no hourly restriction, June hours of burning are 5 am to 11 am (Plumas County) providing it’s a permissible burn day (State air quality regulations) • Burn BAN July 1st to Nov 1st but may vary due to current fire danger conditions • No permit required after bur ban is lifted until May providing it’s a ‘permissive burn day’

4. Debris Burning • Debris—natural material—pine needles, twigs, branches, leaves • Prohibited Materials--garbage, treated/painted lumber, plywood, tires, paint ... • Terms of Permit—CA State Law! • Max 4’ diameter, (permit avail. for larger piles) • 10’ feet clearance • Adult in attendance…extinguish if you leave • Water supply on site—charged garden hose • Weather conditions make burning safe (Wind is huge factor on escapes)

5. B U R N P E R M I T

6. Debris Burning--Escapes • Most common person-caused wildfire in Plumas County is an escaped debris burn • May 2007—Clifton Fire, 66 ac., threatened homes, owner liable for large suppression bill • Follow terms of permit, always • Safest Burning conditions—burn covered pile during rain or snow

7. Debris Burning • Prohibited Activities: • Burning w/o permit (when needed) • Violation of permit requirements • Failure to be in attendance or extinguishing the fire • Burning on a “no burn day” • Use of a burn barrel, unless authorized

8. Alternatives to Burning • Green Waste Disposal Sites • Haul debris—burn collectively, co-gen plant produces electricity • Portola—Intermountain Disposal @ landfill, fee • Quincy—Sierra Pacific Industries, no fee • Westwood—Mt. Lassen Power—no fee except for building material • Chipping/Shredding—reduces fire risk due to its composition, keeps nutrients on site, contractors available • Composting—nutrients stay on site, reduces smoke pollution, best with leaves, difficult with needles/branches

9. Burn Permits Suspended July 1st (or earlier due to fire danger) No open burning will be allowed until significant rains occur. Keep your piles dry by covering them with plastic just before the rain is forecast this fall. For updated info on burning call: Plumas National Forest Supervisor’s Office- 159 Lawrence Street Quincy Ca. - 283-2050 Mt. Hough Ranger District Office- 39696 State Highway 70, Quincy Ca. -283-0555 Greenville Work Center- 122 Hot Springs Road Greenville, Ca. - 284-7126 Beckwourth Ranger District Office- Mohawk Road, Blairsden Ca. - 836-2575 Almanor Ranger District Office- Highway 36 Chester, CA. – 258-2141 Cal Fire – Westwood Fire Station – 3rd and Greenwood, Westwood, Ca. – 256-3203 Plumas County