Open Burning
Backyard Burn Season: December 1, 2022 - April 30, 2023
Smoke management is the use of techniques such as meteorology, fuel moisture, fuel loading, fire suppression and other burn methods to minimize the smoke impacts from fires. Accordingly, the purpose of the MBARD's Smoke Management Program is to minimize the air quality impacts of open burning.
Backyard burning is the burning of green waste material by occupants of single- or two-family dwellings. Backyard burn season is December 1 through April 30.
BROCHURE: Backyard Burning of Dry Vegetation in San Lorenzo Valley
BROCHURE: Backyard Burning of Dry Vegetation in Monterey, San Benito, and Santa CruZ Counties (excluding San Lorenzo Valley)
Agricultural burning is used in the growing of crops, the raising of fowl, animals, or bees as a gainful occupation.
Prescribed burning is the use of broadcast or pile burns for the purposes of managing wildlands, range improvement, or improving wildlife habitat.
Development burns are for disposing of dry vegetation grown on a property being developed for commercial or residential purposes. Please contact the MBARD office to apply for a Development Burn Permit.
LINKS TO PERMIT APPLICATIONS:
Backyard Burn Permit Online Application (Available December 1, 2023)
Agricultural Burn Permit Online Application
Prescribed Burn Permit Online Application (For Support or Assistance: Irene Miranda 831-718-8021 imiranda@mbard.org)
Applicable Rules and Regulations:
Rule 438 Title 17: Smoke Management Guidelines for Agricultural and Prescribed Burning
Burn Type Information
What are the Different Types of Burns?Trash Burning BanWarming Fires Guidelines
Health Effects of Smoke
How Smoke Can Affect Your HealthVisibility and Particle Concentration
Recent Press Releases
BEU CAL FIRE Burn Permit Suspenion Lifted 12-7-2022BEU CAL FIRE Burn Permit Suspension 1-13-2021.pdfSanta Cruz County Burn Ban Lifted.pdfMonterey and San Benito Counties Burn Ban Lifted.pdf