Agricultural burn permits and burn authorization are required for burning paper raisin trays.  Please follow these steps before igniting your burn: 

• Report your burn by calling 1-800-665-2876 or using the Internet.  You will be prompted to select the number of consecutive days required to complete the burn.  To help the District’s continuing effort with managing air quality, all permit holders are asked to refrain from burning raisin trays on any District designated “Spare the Air” day. 

• All burning locations must be attended at all times when the paper raisin trays are burning, by able bodied adults with adequate tools or equipment to control a fire from escaping.

• All burn locations must have adequate clearance to avoid escape.  The burn area should be a “fire safety zone” away from dry fields, homes, shops, garages, utility poles or utility supply lines, and other buildings or equipment.  A rule to remember is to remove all combustible materials from 30 or more feet around the burn area.

• Paper raisin trays must be burned in a container to avoid escape of burning embers or ash, such as a wire cage.  A wire cage may be constructed out of hardware cloth or chicken wire provided that the mesh is no larger than a ½ inch opening.  The cage should never be filled beyond half and should be placed in a “fire safe zone”.  Using a burn barrel for burning anything is illegal. 

• Don’t burn on windy days.

• Avoid burning near a highway or roadway.  Ashes or heavy smoke can create a very dangerous situation for drivers and winds caused by vehicles could cause the fire to escape from the fire safety zone.

• Don’t cause a smoke nuisance to your neighbors.

The burn permit holder is responsible for the control of all agricultural fires.  If a fire should escape control, the responsible party may be found negligent and held liable for penalties and fire suppression costs.  In addition, the responsible party may be held accountable for any civil penalties to other property that is burned or damaged as a result of an escaped fire.