ST. HELENA, Calif. – Unit Chief Tim Streblow of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit announced Monday that beginning at 8 a.m. Friday July 1, all permits for open burning within state and local responsibility areas under contract to Cal Fire are suspended.

Agriculture, land management, fire training and other industrial-type burning in those responsibility areas may proceed if a Cal Fire official inspects the burn site and issues a special permit.

Campfires are allowed in designated campgrounds, or in established facilities on private property, with permission of the jurisdictional authority.

Persons burning under special permit must also check with their regional air quality management district for additional regulations and requirements.

Experience has shown that suspending open burning is an effective way of preventing fire escapes, especially as California enters the summer season period of hotter and drier weather.

Although all fires cannot be prevented through a burning suspension, their numbers can be significantly reduced.

Cal Fire reminds everyone that it is each individual’s responsibility to use fire safely and to prevent fires that destroy lives, property and our wildland. Be fire safe.

Anyone with questions about this declaration is urged to visit www.fire.ca.gov or contact their nearest Cal Fire facility.