Monterey, CA…Due an extended dry conditions this year, CAL FIRE placed a ban on outdoor open burning in the Central Coastal region starting in May of 2013. With the recent rainfall and significant rainfall forecasted across the region safer burning conditions now exist. For that reason, the CAL FIRE Unit Chiefs for this area have agreed to lift the remainder of the ban in San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Benito, Monterey and portions of San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties. Effective 9:00 am on Thursday February 6, 2014.
Please keep in mind, the region still has critically low cumulative rainfall for this season, in some cases as low as 10% of normal. The current and forecasted precipitation does not guarantee a return to a normal water year and fuel moisture levels are not expected to increase to their normal winter levels. CAL FIRE will continue to monitor weather conditions and fuel moisture levels and if dry conditions resume, resuming the burn ban is one of many options open to CAL FIRE.

Prior to initiating any open burning, the public should make sure they comply with all local fire safety and air quality regulations and guidelines. To review CAL FIRE’s debris burn guidelines go to: http://www.fire.ca.gov/communications/downloads/fact_sheets/DebrisBurning.pdf. For information on complying with air quality rules regulating open burning, the public should review the Air District website for information on Burn Day status, burn allocations and Air Quality regulations prior to scheduling a burn.

• For Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District’s website, go to: http://www.mbuapcd.org/
CAL FIRE reminds everyone that it is their individual responsibility to use fire safely and to prevent fires that destroy lives, property and our wildland. In addition, CAL FIRE asks that all residents take proper care with fire during the winter period. This includes the proper disposal of fireplace ashes and the maintenance and care of safety monitors such as Smoke and Carbon Monoxide detectors. The public is also advised that they are responsible for knowing current burn regulations and burn day status. Landowners and contractors can also be held responsible for any costs or damages associated with an out of control fire they initiate.
For information on ways to prevent wildfires visit: www.PreventWildfireCA.org or www.fire.ca.gov
Be Fire Safe!

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