Cal Fire Suspends Burn Permits in County
- Cal Fire said Thursday it will suspend all residential outdoor burn permits in San Diego County at 8 a.m. on May 1, halting debris burning such as branches and leaves. - Officials tied the move to heavy vegetation growth, rising temperatures, low humidity and seasonal winds. Cal Fire also said firefighters statewide have already responded to about 841 wildfires this year. - The order comes as Southern California faces drying fuels and elevated early-season fire risk after a growth-heavy winter and spring. (fire.ca.gov)
Cal Fire will suspend all residential outdoor burn permits in San Diego County at 8 a.m. on May 1. (kpbs.org) The order stops residential outdoor burning of landscape debris, including branches and leaves, across the county. Cal Fire announced the suspension on Thursday, April 24. (kpbs.org) Cal Fire Unit and Fire Chief Tony Mecham said significant vegetation growth, rising temperatures, low humidity and seasonal winds drove the decision. He said earlier and more intense fire seasons are forcing agencies to tighten restrictions sooner. (kpbs.org) The suspension applies to residential burning, not every kind of fire. Campfires are still allowed in organized campgrounds and on private property with a campfire permit. (kpbs.org) (sdapcd.org) Some burning can still move forward with extra approval. Cal Fire said agriculture, land management, fire training and other industrial-type burning may proceed if an official inspects the site and issues a special permit. (kpbs.org) San Diego County residents already have to navigate two layers of rules before burning: a fire permit from the local fire authority and a permissive-burn day under the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District. The new suspension overrides residential burning even if air-quality conditions would otherwise allow it. (sdapcd.org) (kpbs.org) Statewide, Cal Fire’s 2026 incident archive listed 841 wildfires and 9,756 acres burned as of Thursday. The agency’s fire-season outlook says high grass fuel loads and drying conditions are raising the risk of larger fires in Southern California. (fire.ca.gov) Cal Fire is telling homeowners to use other ways to clear yard waste, including chipping, green-waste pickup or hauling debris to a biomass or green-waste facility. The agency also urged residents to maintain 100 feet of defensible space around homes and buildings. (kpbs.org) The practical effect is simple: if you planned to burn a pile of yard debris next week, Cal Fire says don’t light it after 8 a.m. on May 1. (kpbs.org)
