Today, CalFire handed back the ability to burn with care, lifting the burn permit suspension that has kept piles of vegetation untouched. As it shies away from peak fire season, CalFire trusts that Sonoma County locals with current and valid agriculture and residential burn permits can handle the flames responsibly, as long as Mother Nature keeps the temperature down and the humidity up.
If you want to clear out your yard or farm, you'll need to double-check with CalFire if an inspection is necessary before you strike a match. This caveat is especially true for agricultural burns, according to Permit Sonoma. For others considering a fiery clean-up, a chat with the local Air Quality Management District should determine whether you'll need a CalFire official peering over your shoulder.
However, not every day is a burn day. Confirming whether the air quality gods deem it a permissible burn day before igniting anything is crucial. You've got numbers to dial for that – 877-466-2876 for those in southern Sonoma, and 707-565-2876 for the northerners. And don't forget, your local Fire District might also want to weigh in with their requirements.
