Open burn season starts Dec. 14
All burning requires permit
–Dec. 14 marks the start of the 2015-2016 open burn season in San Luis Obispo County. The burn season, which typically runs through the end of April, affects the burning of residential yard trimmings in backyards and agricultural wastes. Open burn season normally closes at the end of April when local fire agencies typically predict an increasing risk of wildfires from drying brush and grass.
All burning requires a permit from the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District.
• Backyard burning may only be conducted by occupants of single family or duplex dwellings outside urban and village reserve lines in rural areas on a designated “Burn Day.”
• Agricultural burning may only be conducted by agricultural operations that derive income from the growing of crops or the raising of animals or, vegetation, forest or range management.
Burn applications are not available at Cal Fire facilities. Downloadable burn permit applications are available at www.slocleanair.org/programs/burning.php for backyard and agricultural burning. Permits must be filled out and mailed to the APCD, with a check for the permit fee $50. The address is 3433 Roberto Ct, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401.
Credit card payments are available to individuals renewing their backyard burn permits only. After receiving a valid application and payment, the APCD will then issue a burn permit.
Mail-in applications and permits are also available at most libraries, selected community service district offices, the County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office and the APCD office.
Open burning releases smoke and air pollution that can be harmful to public health. Residents must exercise caution when conducting burning operations. Burning during windy or unsafe conditions frequently results in escaped fires and residents can receive misdemeanor citations and/or be billed for suppression costs. Residents are urged to seek alternatives to burning, such as green-waste disposal, chipping and composting.
For information about open burning and the downloadable applications for San Luis Obispo County, visit www.slocleanair.org/programs/burning.php or contact the Air District’s Compliance Division at (805) 781-5912. For burn day status call 1-800-834-2876.
