Crime & Safety

'Extreme Menace of Wildfire' Prompts Fire Ban

CAL FIRE declares burn ban in Santa Cruz and San Mateo Counties.

Gusty winds and low humidity have prompted the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to call for a local fire ban.

Santa Cruz and San Mateo Unit Chief John Ferreira today declared a suspension of open burning within CAL FIRE’s contracted responsibility areas.

Industrial-type burning at agriculture, land management, fire training and other like sites may proceed if a CAL FIRE official inspects the burn site and issues a permit, according to a release sent today by CAL FIRE Capt. Jonathan Cox. 

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The ban, issued in a proclamation in Felton, cited the "extreme menace of wildfire and its potential to destroy life, property, and natural resources."

“Experience has shown that open burning suspensions effectively aid in preventing fire escapes and significantly reduce the risk and occurrence of large fires,” according to the statement. “This is especially important as California is experiencing high winds, low humidity and increased fire occurrences.”

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The suspension is effective Monday and will continue until formally cancelled.


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