Skip to main content

CAL FIRE Burn Ban Continues in San Mateo County

Felton – On December 30, 2013, CAL FIRE suspended all open burning within the State Responsibility Area and Local Responsibility Areas under contract to CAL FIRE in the following counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, portions of Stanislaus, and Western San Joaquin Counties.

This is especially important as these counties continue to experience record breaking low cumulative rainfall, low humidity, dry fuel moisture levels and increased fire activity. These conditions are expected to continue with no forecast of significant rainfall in sight. With recent significant local fire activity in addition to several instances of individuals being cited for violation of this burn ban, CAL FIRE would like to re-emphasize that this ban is necessary for public safety.

Agriculture, land management, fire training, and other industrial-type burning may proceed if a CAL FIRE official inspects the burn site and issues a special permit to specifically exempt a burn from this ban. Campfires are allowed in designated campgrounds, or in established facilities on private property with permission of the landowner and jurisdictional authority. Persons burning under any special permit must also check with their regional air quality management district for addition regulations and requirements.

CAL FIRE reminds everyone that it is their individual responsibility to use fire safely and to prevent fires.

Anyone with questions about this declaration is urged to contact the nearest CAL FIRE facility.

pdfAttached is the official proclamation.86.87 KB

Northern California 7 Day Significant Fire Potential

Very Dry and Warm Weather Will Continue Through at Least Tuesday January 21!

A very strong ridge of high pressure aloft will continue to produce warm and dry weather throughout the North Ops area through Tuesday. Periods of N-NE/Offshore surface winds will enhance these conditions from the western Sierra slopes to the coast, especially on Monday and Tuesday. Maximum temperatures will continue to be 15-25 degrees above normal. However, one exception will continue to be the valleys and canyons in far Northern CA, where strong inversions have trapped cold air and stratus in for several days. This pattern will also continue.

On Wednesday the high will weaken as a weak disturbance passes near far NW CA on its way to OR. This feature will turn winds to onshore and bring clouds and higher RH to much of the North Ops area. It is expected that the high pressure will return late in the week.

Fuels/Fire Potential

With unusually parched fuels and much more ground snow-free than is typical, Northern CA will continue to be subject to initial attack activity and also continue to see increased risk for larger fires whenever in significant and/or widespread wind events. At this time, no "High Risk" has been issued, but all PSAs will be predominantly Dry to Very Dry starting Saturday.

Our Region is in Severe to locally Extreme drought conditions covering nearly all of Northern California. Details can be seen at: http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Home/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?CA

NFPA Fire Break Newsletter

Read the December issue of Fire Break, NFPA's wildland fire newsletter

Fire Break DecThe current issue of NFPA’s wildland fire newsletter is now available for viewing. In this issue, you’ll:
  • Learn why it’s important for communities to continue their wildfire mitigation efforts, despite the fact that the U.S. experienced fewer wildfires this year.
  • Find a link to NFPA’s recent “Brush, Grass and Forest Fires” report.
  • Learn about NFPA’s “A Salute to the National Firewise Family” event to thank our recognized communities for participating in wildfire safety efforts.
  • Get introduced to our newest member of the wildfire division, Lucian Deaton.
… And lots more! We want to continue to share all of this great information with you so don’t miss an issue! Subscribe today. It’s free! Just click here to add your email address to the NFPA Fire Break newsletter list.

More Articles …