Permit Burning
updated: Dec 05, 2012, 11:11 AM

Source: Santa Barbara County Fire Department

- Permit Burning -

SANTA BARBARA, Ca. December 5, 2012 - On December 10th, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department will be transitioning from a High Fire Season to a Low Fire Season Preparedness Level.

With this transition, the ban on permit burning within State Responsibility Areas (SRA) and Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) within the jurisdiction of the Santa Barbara County Fire Department has been lifted. Individuals with a valid burn permit may resume permitted burning in Santa Barbara County. Please note: These permits are issued for burn piles only and are not intended for the burning of standing vegetation.

Prior to issuance of a permit, all burn sites and piles will be inspected by Santa Barbara County Fire Department for compliance with the appropriate permit conditions. The permittee must contact the fire department prior to starting any permit burn.

Burn days are determined by the time of year and the weather. Burning during the winter months when the fuel moisture levels are high and temperatures are low is preferred. Also, the ability of the smoke to mix with the atmosphere is critical. A high pressure, stable condition is not recommended for burning due to the inability of the smoke to easily dissipate. Predicted high winds can also suspend burning. Burning is never allowed on Sundays or holidays. The Santa Barbara County Fire Department and Air Pollution Control District work closely together to determine appropriate days for permit burning.

Each day, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department announces on a recorded phone line whether permit burning is allowed. The public can ascertain whether it is a permissive burn day by calling (805) 686-8177.

Although the fire danger has decreased considerably, it is still possible to have wildfires during the winter months in Southern California. Santa Barbara County residents are encouraged to continue to reduce flammable vegetation around their structures, property and roads. Through the Ready! Set! Go! Program, land owners have the opportunity to be educated about issues concerning defensible space and vegetation removal. For information on the Ready! Set! Go! program, please log on to www.sbcfire.com.

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 350505	2012-12-05 11:18 AM
Cue posts on Edhat "OMG there is smoke visible on the hills after it poured down rain for a week straight does anyone know what's going on!!!??"
COMMENT 350739P	2012-12-05 08:56 PM
is there a fee for the permit?
FLICKA	2012-12-06 09:32 AM
Up until the early 1960s people burned trash in incenerators on certain days. Coming down San Marcos the view was of the whole town having a pall of smoke over it.

67% of comments on this page were made by Edhat Community Members.