Effective tomorrow, May 1st, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Lassen-Modoc Unit will require dooryard burning permits for residential burning within Lassen, Modoc and Plumas Counties.
Burn permits are now available online at Cal-FIRE’s Burn Permit website.You can also obtain a permit from the Cal-FIRE station on highway 36 west of Susanville.
It is important to note that Burn Permits are only for residents who live within the State Responsibility Area, or where Cal-Fire has jurisdictional authority. For information and permits required outside the SRA/Cal-Fire jurisdiction, contact your local city or county fire authority.
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 departments within Lassen, Modoc and Plumas counties, all residents may apply for a Cal-FIRE Burn Permit to burn when permits are required.
Residents in Susanville and Alturas must contact their fire departments to obtain a burn permit as Cal-FIRE burn permits are not accepted within those jurisdictions.
Burning permits are valid from May 1st, 2024 to midnight April 30th, 2025 for all residential burning on SRA Lands.
Burning can only be done on permissive burn days. To find out if it is a permissive burn day, contact your local Air Pollution Control District.
In Lassen County call 1.530.257.2876; in Modoc County call 1.530.233.3436 and in Plumas County, including Quincy, Greenville and Chester call 1.530.274.7928.
Only natural vegetative material such as leaves, pine needles and tree trimmings may be burned. Household garbage may not be burned.
Do not burn on windy days and do not burn in a burn-barrel unless you have received authorization from your APCD.
You must have a signed permit in your possession while you are burning and you are responsible for always maintaining control of your fire.
Possession of a permit does not protect you if your burn escapes. You are still liable for any suppression costs.
If a burn escapes your control, you should seek help immediately. Wildfires can spread very quickly. A fast response from the fire department can reduce suppression cost considerably. Remember, you may be billed for suppression costs, so the sooner you seek help the better the outcome may be.
Simple common sense can greatly reduce the chance of an escape. If you don’t feel it’s safe to conduct a burn, then don’t.
Changing conditions may necessitate an early burn suspension. Please keep informed about burn restrictions by following Cal-FIRE on Facebook and Twitter.
