Burn Permits Required Starting May 1st

Sonora, CA — Effective tomorrow morning, burn permits will be required within the CAL Fire state responsibility areas of Tuolumne and Calaveras counties.

There are no burn-hour restrictions, however, a transition to night burning may occur as conditions change. The Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit last year implemented new elevation based burning requirements. Burn permits now reflect Zone 1, which is below 3,500 ft. and Zone 2 which is above 3,500 ft.

The burn information phone line will start indicating whether it is a permissive burn day in Zone 1 and/or Zone 2. The goal of the program is to extend burning at the higher elevations later into the season.

Anyone burning must abide by the rules noted on the permit. As the vegetation dries out, it becomes increasingly important that piles are being closely monitored. There have been three escaped debris burns in the unit over recent weeks.

Burn permits are available, Monday through Friday, at any CAL Fire station.