Santa Cruz Couty Chipper Program Information: ChipperProgram_1-2003

Yard Burning Policy

The burn season within the jurisdiction of the Branciforte Fire Protection District is December 1st through April 30th ONLY. Burning out of season may result in a citation and you may be liable for all suppression costs.

Beginning December 1st, Open yard burning is to be permitted for one or two family dwellings. During this time period, residents can burn brush and yard trimmings when the material is clean and dry ONLY. The burn season will end on April 30th. The Branciforte Fire Protection District requires a permit for this type of burning. No burning is permitted before 8:00am or after 4:00pm.

No garbage can be burned. Backyard burning is allowed only on permissive burn days when weather conditions will allow the quick dispersion of smoke.

Open burning shall be conducted only on days designated as BURN DAYS by the "Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District." To determine the current burn day status and burn day information, call 1-800-225-2876 after 4:00pm on the day before or the day you wish to burn (our area is referred to as "Santa Cruz County" on the recording). Legal burn days are broadcasted over local radio stations.

Burning shall be permitted subject to the following conditions:

1. Only yard trimmings and brush origination on the premises of one or two family dwellings may be burned.

2. The material shall be arranged in small piles to facilitate burning and shall be free of waste material such as tires, rubbish, tar paper, plastic, poison oak, construction materials and household garbage, etc.

3. The use of any combustible and/or flammable liquid as starting fuels is expressly prohibited.

4. Open burning shall be performed when time and atmospheric conditions comply with the limits set forth by the Monterey Bay United Air Pollution Control District.

5. All open burning shall be conducted at a distance of more than 25 feet from any building or structure.

6. A garden hose with water supply shall be available near the area where the burning is done, and a competent person shall be in attendance at all times until the fire has been extinguished. All fires must be completely extinguished at the end of the burn day.

7. All Burning In An Incinerator Is Prohibited.

This information in no way relieves your responsibilities to neighboring properties and to burn in the prescribed manner. No person shall allow a fire kindled or attended by them to escape their control. Failure to burn within the requirement of the law may result in a citation or criminal prosecution, and you will be liable for all suppression costs.