Effective Wednesday, May 1, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Lassen-Modoc Unit will require dooryard burning permits for residential burning within Lassen, Modoc and Plumas counties.
Burn permits are available online at https://burnpermit.fire.ca.gov. Property owners can access this website to obtain a burn permit, free of charge, by watching a short educational video and submitting an application. Permits must be printed, signed and on hand while burning or immediately available for inspection upon request in an electronic format.
The information contained on the permit states the terms the permittee is required to abide by to help ensure a safe debris burn while minimizing the chance of fire escapes. Permits are valid from May 1 of the current year through April 30 of the following year.
Normally Cal Fire burn permits are only required for residents who live within the state responsibility area, or where Cal Fire has jurisdictional authority; however, in cooperation with local fire department jurisdictions within Lassen, Modoc and Plumas counties, all residents may apply for a Cal Fire burn permit to burn when permits are required.
No burning is allowed within the City of Portola.
Burning can only be conducted on permissive burn days and within permissive burn hours as determined by the local air pollution control district. To find out if it is a permissive burn day or if burning is limited to specific hours in Plumas County, contact the Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District at 530-274-7928.
Possession of a permit does not protect residents if their burn escapes. They may be held criminally and/or civilly liable. Immediately report uncontrolled burn pile escapes by dialing 911.
The Cal Fire unit chief will implement a burn ban when weather conditions warrant. Changing conditions may necessitate an early burn suspension. Cal Fire invites residents to stay informed about burn restrictions via social media: @CALFIRELMU on Facebook or X.
Information provided by Cal Fire Lassen-Modoc Unit
