Amador County – California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection will require residential burn permits beginning May 1 in the Amador-El Dorado Unit.

Permits are issued free, valid for three years from the date of issuance and allow burning dry vegetation (not household trash) that originates on the landowners property. Pick up residential burn permits at most local staffed fire stations.

CDF Amador-El Dorado Unit Chief Kelly Keenan urged safety in burning. Keenan encouraged people to get an early start now when it is safe to burn the piles versus later in the year when it is riskier due to drier, hotter conditions.

Keenan said “last year 23 percent of our wildland fires in Amador and El Dorado counties were from residential landscape debris piles that escaped the control of the person in charge.”

To reduce risk, take steps to safely burn debris piles when the ground is still damp from the recent storms, he said. Use piles no larger than 4x4 feet. Scrape a 10-foot wide bare earth ring around each pile. Keep a shovel and charged water hose nearby. Make sure an adult attends the pile until it’s completely extinguished.

Immediately before burning, call Amador County Air District at (209)223-6246 to see if it is a “permissive burn day.” For alternatives to burn piles, contact Amador Fire Safe Council at (209)295-6200.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.