Sacramento CA– California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Director Ken Pimlott issued an order to suspend open burning across 31 million acres of State Responsibility Area in California. The suspended burning order is part of CAL FIRE’s continued efforts to mitigate the increased threat of wildfire due to the state’s drought emergency.
“The increase in fire activity this year, coupled with record-setting drought conditions, requires us to take every step possible to prevent new wildfires from starting,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, CAL FIRE director. “In support of the Governor’s Drought State of Emergency, I am ordering each of the 21 unit chiefs and six contract county chiefs to issue local proclamations suspending burning on State Responsibility Area lands in their respective jurisdictions, effective no later than July 1, 2014. “The process of geographically specific burn bans will allow for greater flexibility to cancel individual bans locally during the fall months if conditions warrant. The localized proclamations will include suspension of all residential bum permits, forest management, hazard abatement, and other industrial-type permitted burning.
Campfires may still be allowed in designated campsites. For information, visit your nearest CAL FIRE station: http://calfire.ca.gov/contacts/index.php .
CAL FIRE has already responded to 2,118 fires this year, a nearly 70% increase in the average number of fires for the same time period. Residents are urged to visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org for tips on how to prepare their homes and family for wildfire. The website also links to important water saving tips, a resource critical to the control of wildfires.
Governor Brown has called on all Californians to reduce their water use by 20 percent and prevent water waste – visit saveourH20.org to find out how everyone can do their part, and visit drought.ca.gov to learn more about how California is dealing with the effects of the drought.
You can read the Proclamation here [Link]
No Shooting Ordinance-
SEC.33.101.5. NO SHOOTING–PERIODS OF HIGH FIRE HAZARD.
(a) Other than in defense of person, it shall be unlawful for any person to discharge any pistol, revolver, shotgun, rifle or any other firearm or device fired or discharged with explosives during any period in which a “high fire hazard” has been declared by the California Department of Forestry. The prohibitions of this section shall commence upon the declaration of a “high fire hazard” by the California Department of Forestry and shall continue until noon of the day following the final day of the “high fire hazard” period as specified in said declaration.
Information as to whether or not a “high fire hazard” has been declared shall be made available to the public from the Office of Disaster Preparedness.
(b) This section shall not be applicable to the following:
(1) Persons discharging firearms or devices on and pursuant to the safety regulations of a shooting range established and operated pursuant to a permit issued by the Sheriff.
(2) Persons discharging firearms or devices who are the owner, person in possession of the property upon which the firearms or devices are being discharged or a person having the express permission of the owner or person in possession of the property upon which the firearms or devices are being discharged provided that any areas in which any firearms or devices are being discharged or areas in which ammunition impacts occur are cleared in such a manner as to prevent igniting any brush or flammable materials.
(3) Persons involved in the legal pursuit of game.
(4) Persons discharging firearms or devices pursuant to a permit issued by the State of California pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 4181.
(5) Persons discharging firearms or devices in defense or for the protection of livestock, domesticated animals or property under circumstances in which Fish and Game Code section 4181 is not applicable.(Sec.33.101.5 added by Ord. No. 7826 (N.S.), effective 11-22-90, and repealed by Ord. No.7834 (N.S.), effective 11-20-90; added by Ord. No. 7942 (N.S.), effective 8-22-91) State law reference(s)
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Permits, Fish and Game Code, § 4181.