Burn Permits
As of December 17, 2018 agricultural burning and homeowner burning for hazard reduction is allowed.
The normal burn-season process (from around Nov 15th to around May 1st) is as follows:
Step 1) Get an air quality notification form, fill it out and send it in (mail, fax, or email).
Step 2) Check the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) site to see if it is a burn day
Step 3) Notify local fire officials the day of the burn
Step 1) A Bay Area Air Quality Management District Burn Notification is required for any brush burning. This form is called the Open Burning Notification Form and you can request one by calling 415-749-4600. You can also find this form online at www.baaqmd.gov/forms.aspx. It is in the “Compliance Forms” section or download the form here.
NOTE: There is an annual fee associated with the filing of this form. For a normal hazard reduction fire notice, As of Nov, 2018 they will charge you $133. They may waive the fees for the burn areas.
Step 2) Once you have sent in the burn notification and paid the fee, you need to call BAAQMD or check their web site at http://www.baaqmd.gov after 3pm the day prior to the burn to see if burning is allowed for our area. Call them at 1-800-792-0787 to hear the recorded message. The recorded message may say that if you are in a CA SRA area (we are) that Cal Fire must inspect your burn piles. This does not currently apply to homeowner burning in our area.
Step 3) On the day of your burn you must notify the county fire dispatch at REDCOM that you will be burning at 1-707-565-1700. They will ask for your location and get a contact number.
Note that as outlined in the permit, brush should be dried a minimum of 60 days before burning so that it does not create excessive smoke. Follow the rules, BAAQMD can fine you if your are cited!
Burn safely! If your burning spreads out of control and damages someone else's property, you may be liable!
The details on timing and pile size are on the back of the BAAQMD Burn Notification form. In addition we offer these tips:
Step 1) Get an air quality notification form, fill it out and send it in (mail, fax, or email).
Step 2) Check the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) site to see if it is a burn day
Step 3) Notify local fire officials the day of the burn
Step 1) A Bay Area Air Quality Management District Burn Notification is required for any brush burning. This form is called the Open Burning Notification Form and you can request one by calling 415-749-4600. You can also find this form online at www.baaqmd.gov/forms.aspx. It is in the “Compliance Forms” section or download the form here.
NOTE: There is an annual fee associated with the filing of this form. For a normal hazard reduction fire notice, As of Nov, 2018 they will charge you $133. They may waive the fees for the burn areas.
Step 2) Once you have sent in the burn notification and paid the fee, you need to call BAAQMD or check their web site at http://www.baaqmd.gov after 3pm the day prior to the burn to see if burning is allowed for our area. Call them at 1-800-792-0787 to hear the recorded message. The recorded message may say that if you are in a CA SRA area (we are) that Cal Fire must inspect your burn piles. This does not currently apply to homeowner burning in our area.
Step 3) On the day of your burn you must notify the county fire dispatch at REDCOM that you will be burning at 1-707-565-1700. They will ask for your location and get a contact number.
Note that as outlined in the permit, brush should be dried a minimum of 60 days before burning so that it does not create excessive smoke. Follow the rules, BAAQMD can fine you if your are cited!
Burn safely! If your burning spreads out of control and damages someone else's property, you may be liable!
The details on timing and pile size are on the back of the BAAQMD Burn Notification form. In addition we offer these tips:
- Only dry, natural, vegetative material such as brush and tree trimmings that originated on the property may be burned.
- No burning before 10am for air quality reasons, and last additions to the burn pile 2 hours before sunset
- We suggest piles no larger than four feet in diameter. Cal fire burn permits (when required) specify this size for residential burning. If you have more than that to burn, feed it onto your 4 foot burn pile. Piles can be larger, but be aware they are harder to control. See size limits on the back of the BAAQMD burn form.
- Provide ten feet of clearance around the pile by removing all material that will burn, down to bare mineral soil.
- Have a water source on hand - a garden hose or a minimum of a five gallon backpack, pump type water extinguisher.
- A responsible adult needs to be in attendance at all times.
- NEVER burn on windy days.
Residential Wildfire Prevention
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Defensible Space
Defensible space is the buffer between a building on your property and the grass, trees, shrubs, or any wildland area that surround it. This space is needed to slow or stop the spread of wildfire and it protects your home from catching fire. Proper clearance to 100 feet dramatically increases the chance of your house surviving. This defensible space also provides for firefighter safety when protecting homes during a wildland fire. |
Hardening Your Home
Flying embers can destroy homes up to a mile from a wildfire. "Harden" your home now before a fire starts by using ember-resistant building materials. Ways to protect your home include replacing your roof, siding, and deck with ignition-resistant materials, covering vent openings, maintaining your driveway, and having an ample water supply. |
Learn how to take these steps and prepare for a wildfire with CalFire's Ready for Wildfire website.
Living With Fire in Sonoma County
Much of Sonoma County is considered a high hazard fire environment. Learn important pre-fire activities that can help save lives and your property with this informational document.
