February 26, 2025 – CAL FIRE officials offer residential debris burning safety tips.  

Burning accumulated biomass is a great, low-cost way to improve wildfire resilience and protect your property, but when not done safely it can put your entire community at risk. It’s vitally important to follow safety guidelines strictly. 

Thinking about burning landscape debris? Safety comes first! Before you burn, check local regulations—not all areas of California allow debris burning. If permitted in your area, follow these steps to prevent wildfires: 

• Get a Burn Permit – Required in many locations. Check with your local CAL FIRE unit or fire department. 
• Check the Weather – Avoid burning on dry, windy days. 
• Clear the Area – Remove flammable materials and create a safe zone around your burn pile.
• Keep It Small – Piles should be no larger than 4x4 feet. 
• Stay with Your Fire – Never leave it unattended. Have a hose, shovel, and water source nearby.
• Fully Extinguish – Drown, stir, and check for heat before leaving. 

A small fire can spread quickly, don’t let your burn become a wildfire!

Start by watching this video, then get a burn permit and learn more at: https://burnpermit.fire.ca.gov.

Source: CAL FIRE