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Open Burning

***ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL FIRE DISTRICT FOR BURN PERMIT REQUIREMENTS.***
MONTEREY AND SAN BENITO COUNTY RESIDENTS: YOU ARE REQUIRED TO GET A BURN PERMIT FROM YOUR LOCAL FIRE AGENCY.

 

The Backyard Burn Season is active December 1, 2021 - April 30, 2022.

 

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.

 

APPLY FOR BURN PERMITS:

In an already challenging year, the Monterey Bay Air Resources District has been working to simplify many of the permitting and grant program application processes. This new, easier application process will now include the Backyard and Agricultural Permit Programs.

The following are some of the changes to expect:

  • NO more Usernames and Passwords!
  • NO more Renewals
  • Simple annual form to fill out and submit
  • SLV BURNERS: the authorization process will be accessed by a simple link included in your permit email.

We hope this change will be welcome and the new process simple.  Should you have any questions you can contact us, as always, for assistance.

 

LINKS TO PERMIT APPLICATIONS:

Backyard Burn Permit Online Application
Agricultural Burn Permit Online Application
PRESCRIBED BURN PERMIT ONLINE APPLICATION

 

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 Suspension 1-13-2021.pdfSanta Cruz County Burn Ban Lifted.pdfMonterey and San Benito Counties Burn Ban Lifted.pdf

 

For more information please contact: