The State of California suspended Burn Permits in Alpine, Amador, El Dorado, Eastern Sacramento, and North-Eastern San Joaquin Counties as June 26, 2023. Per Lake Valley Fire local ordinance No. 2022-01, the District prohibits open burning on all lands within the District boundaries within 24 hours of the State restrictions.
Please see Ordinance Section 307.4.4 “Open Burning Restrictions” and Section 202 “Definition of Open Burning”.
Section 307.4.4 Open Burning Restrictions. Open burning on all lands within the jurisdiction of the LAKE VALLEY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT (LVFPD), including the Local Response Area (LRA), is prohibited when the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) issues a burn suspension in the State Responsibility Area (SRA). This prohibition shall be made effective 24-hours following its commencement in the SRA.
Open burning is also prohibited on all lands within the jurisdiction of LVFPD at any time the fire code official that atmospheric conditions or other local circumstances make such fires hazardous, including factors such as high winds, low fuel moisture, fire weather, the issuance of red flag warnings, the severe threat of wildland fire, or present risk of destruction by wildfire to life, wildlife, property, or natural resources.
SECTION 202 “OPEN BURNING”
OPEN BURNING. The burning of materials wherein products of combustion are emitted directly into the ambient air without passing through a stack or chimney from an enclosed chamber. Open burning does not include road flares, smudge-pots and similar devices associated with safety or occupational uses typically considered open flames. For the purpose of this definition, a chamber shall be regarded as enclosed when, during the time combustion occurs, only apertures, ducts, stacks, flues or chimneys necessary to provide combustion air and permit the escape of exhaust gas are open.
Open burning shall also include campfires, bonfires, portable outdoor fireplaces, ceremonial fires, and recreational fire as defined in the Fire Code.
Exception:
- UL or ASMI listed LPG or natural gas outdoor flame devices, such as gas BBQ’s or gas fire pits that comply with the Fire Code.
- For one-or two-family dwellings, fixed or portable outdoor flame devices that meet the following:
- Devices shall comply with the Fire Code.
- Devices shall be used per the manufacturer’s specifications.
- Minimum 10-foot clearance from device to all flammable material and vegetation.
- No burning shall be conducted during high or extreme fire weather conditions (e.g., National Weather Service Red Flag Warnings).
- Campfires on private lands. Where required by the fire code official, a permit shall be issued by the fire code official.
- Ceremonial and/or religious burning with the following safety measures:
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- Maximum 4-foot x 4-foot burn area.
- Minimum 10-foot clearance from the edge of the burn area to all flammable material and vegetation.
- An approved water supply is located within 500 feet of the burn area.
- The burn area is located no less than 30 feet from adjoining property lines.
- An adult is present with a shovel until the fire is extinguished.
- No burning shall be conducted during high or extreme fire weather conditions (e.g., National Weather Service Red Flag Warnings).