Burn permits available May 1 for Amador and El Dorado counties, excluding South Lake Tahoe city limits

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - Residential burn permits will be issued starting Monday, May 1 for the El Dorado County portion of Lake Tahoe excluding the city limits, along with the west slope and Amador County. The City of South Lake Tahoe has a ban on all open burning.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Amador-El Dorado Unit made the announcement Friday, but it is unknown how long permits will be available at Lake Tahoe.

Burn permits must now be obtained online at https://burnpermit.fire.ca.gov/.

To acquire a permit, visit the website, watch a short educational video, and submit an application. The process provides the necessary information needed to conduct the burn safely while minimizing the chance for fire escape. Permits must be in possession either by printed copy or digitally.

Permits are valid beginning May 1st of each year and require annual renewal. Permits are issued free of charge and allow for the burning of dry landscape vegetation (NOT household trash) that originates from the landowner’s property. Hazard reduction guidelines are listed on the permit and must be followed at all times.

Property owners conducting residential debris must contact their local Air Quality Management District to determine what permit requirements or burning restrictions apply in their area and must ALWAYS call to ensure burn day status.

Amador County: (209) 223-6246 El Dorado County: (530) 621-5897
Sacramento County: (916) 874-4800 Alpine County: (760) 872-8211 ext. 240
South Lake Tahoe: (530) 621-5842, (888) 332-2876

The use of a burn barrel is illegal in Amador and El Dorado counties.

For alternatives to burning your piles, please contact the Amador Fire Safe Council at www.amadorfiresafe.org or the El Dorado County Fire Safe Council at www.edcfiresafe.org for details on available programs.

As a reminder, always have a minimum 10-foot clearance down to bare mineral soil around all burn piles, ensure that piles from landscape burn are no larger than 4 feet in diameter, have a shovel and a water source available, and always have an adult present during burning. Failure to follow these simple precautions may result in a citation and fines.

For tips and information on residential landscape debris burning safety, visit
https://www.readyforwildfire.org/permits/burn-permit-information/