Annual Lake County Burn Ban Lifted on Monday, October 23, 2023, at 9am
An important message from Lake County’s Air Pollution Control Officer, Douglas Gearhart.
October 17, 2023 (Lake County, CA) -- The annual Lake County Burn Ban for 2023 is lifted as of 9:00 am, Monday, October 23, 2023 with CalFire’s determination that wildfire risk has been reduced. Burn permits are required for all outdoor burning in the Lake County Air Basin. Burn permits can be obtained online at WWW.LCAQMD.NET and follow the Quick Links to Burn Permits, at www.southlakecountyfire.org/home/permits/, or in person at the Lake County Air Quality Management District office. Appointments are required for all in person burn permit issuance.
A Smoke Management Plan is required for multi-day burns, overnight burns, standing vegetation burns, whole tree or vine removal, burns over 20 acres, and any other burn where significant smoke impacts may occur or sensitive receptors may be impacted. A Smoke Management Plan can be obtained at the Lake County Air Quality Management District office, call 707-263-7000 to make an appointment. Bring a map showing the burn location (https://gispublic.co.lake.ca.us/portal/home/), burn site coordinates (GPS locations), parcel number or address, acres to be burned, and details of vegetation to be burned.
A fee is required for all burn permits, payable at the time the permit is issued. Smoke Management Plans, Agricultural burn permits and Residential burn permits are $33, Land Development/Lot Clearing burn permits are $99. In person payments may be made by cash, check, or money order. Online permit payment is by credit card only.
Only clean dry vegetation that was grown on the property may be burned. Residential burn permits require a one (1.0) acre or larger lot of record, a burn location that is at least 100 feet from all neighbors, and at least 30 feet from any structure in order to qualify. Land Development/Lot Clearing burn permits may only be issued where no other feasible method of vegetation disposal is possible. Read your burn permit carefully and follow all the conditions. Please be considerate of your neighbors. A permit does not allow you to create health problems for others. You can be liable for health care costs, fines, and other costs resulting from your burning.
Consider composting or using the vegetative waste pickup provided with your waste collection service as an alternative to burning leaves. Lake County’s joint Fire Agencies and Air Quality Management District’s open burning program has incorporated both fire safety and air quality management since 1987. Thank you for your cooperation this burn season.
###