Cal Fire suspends burn permits in Lassen and Modoc counties
Cal Fire Lassen-Modoc Unit is suspending burn permits in Lassen and Modoc counties starting at midnight Wednesday, June 16.
California is entering its second consecutive dry year and braces for what could be another devastating wildfire season. While wildfires are a natural part of California’s landscape, the fire season in California and across the West is starting earlier and ending later each year, read the statement from Cal Fire. Climate change is considered a key driver of this trend. Warmer spring and summer temperatures, reduced snowpack, and earlier spring snowmelt create longer and more intense dry seasons that increase moisture stress on vegetation and make forests more susceptible to severe wildfire.
The increasing fire danger posed by dead grass and hotter, drier conditions in the region is prompting Cal Fire to suspend all burn permits for outdoor residential burning within the State Responsibility Area of Lassen and Modoc Counties. This suspension takes effect June 16, 2021 at midnight and bans all residential outdoor burning of landscape debris such as branches and leaves. Burn permits for Plumas County were previously suspended on June 1.
“Last year, California experienced its most destructive fire season in the states known history. Together, we must continue to adapt and evolve to be able to withstand the intensity of these fires, keeping in mind, that the only way to minimize the damage they cause is through education, prevention and mitigation efforts,” said Chief Thom Porter, Cal Fire Director. “We are relying on the public to be ready.”
Unit Chief Scott Packwood, Cal Fire Lassen-Modoc Unit, wants residents to know that due to the mild winter and extremely low fuel moisture, the entire county is experiencing drought conditions. Each of us needs to do our part to prevent a wildfire while outdoors this year.
