Last Weekend For Burning

San Andreas – Is your defensible space completed?  This weekend will be your last chance to burn debris that is if the air quality control conditions allow.

The lingering drought, fueling the increased fire danger, has the Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit of Cal Fire suspending all burn permits for outdoor open residential burning. The areas include Tuolumne, Calaveras, Eastern Stanislaus and Eastern San Joaquin counties.  That in turn, means residents in those areas will no longer be able to burn landscape debris including branches and leaves. The ban is set to begin June 1.

“As the days get longer, our outdoor activities will increase. Everyone can help reduce the threat of wildfire by remaining extra vigilant of how activities are being done,” said Unit Chief Josh White.  Chief White continued, “TCU is staffed and ready for rapid response to serve the community.  Working together we can enjoy the summer days ahead.”

There have been significantly more wildfires than average, according to Cal Fire, which is why they stress the need for residents to create and maintaining a minimum of 100 feet of defensible space around their homes.

Here are Cal Fire’s tips for preparing your property:

• Clear all dead or dying vegetation 100 feet around all structures.
• Landscape with fire resistant/drought tolerant plants
• Find alternative ways to dispose of landscape debris like chipping or  hauling it to a biomass energy facility