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CAL FIRE Lifts Burning Suspension

By KSEE News

CAL FIRE Lifts Burning Suspension

January 20, 2012 Updated Jan 20, 2012 at 5:15 PM PDT

(Press Release) With the anticipated precipitation from this weekend’s storm systems, CAL FIRE is again allowing outdoor Hazard Reduction Burning in foothill and mountain areas of Fresno, Madera, Mariposa and Kings Counties starting Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 8:00 a.m.

Foothill and mountain residents must have a valid San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District Hazard Reduction Burning Permit if you live in Fresno or Kings Counties (permits are not being required in Madera and Mariposa Counties). Permits can be obtained at CAL FIRE Stations or the Highway 168 Fire Safe Council office in the Canyon Fork Shopping Center in Prather. Residents must follow the conditions of the Burning Permit including:

• Having at least one (1) able-bodied adult in attendance of all burn piles.
• Only burning natural vegetation that is from creation of Defensible Space.
• Not burning when wind or weather conditions make a fire likely to escape your control.
• Having the area around burn piles cleared down to mineral soil to keep a fire from escaping.
• Burning only on approved burn days as declared by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.

Failure to be in attendance and maintain control of your outdoor Hazard Reduction burning may result in a citation, cost recovery for suppression resources and liability for damage to the property of others.

Chief Keith Larkin would like to remind foothill and mountain residents that all structures located east of the Friant-Kern Canal and west of Interstate 5 are required by State law to have a minimum of 100 feet of Defensible Space, or to the property line, which ever is closer. This Defensible Space helps protect homes and residents from approaching wildfires. CAL FIRE encourages residents to utilize the winter months to achieve their Defensible Space around all structures by removing brush, limbing trees and removing down and dead fuels.

For more safety tips visit www.fire.ca.gov, www.readyforwildfire.org or stop by a local CAL FIRE Station during normal business hours. Please take responsibility for living in the wildlands by creating and maintaining your Defensible Space.

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