Burn permits in San Benito, Monterey Counties suspended

CENTRAL COAST, Calif. (KION) Cal Fire said it is suspending all burn permits in San Benito and Monterey Counties starting Monday.

The suspension starts at 8 a.m. and bans all residential outdoor burning of landscape debris within the State Responsibility Area and Local Responsibility Areas under contract with Cal Fire.

Campfires within organized campgrounds or on private property are not included included in the suspension.

The San Benito-Monterey area Unit Chief, David Fulcher, said recent vegetation fires show how important defensible space is. Fulcher said there was a substantial amount of raid this winter and spring, but the brush and trees that grew are becoming flammable vegetation.

“Please protect your life and property, as well as the lives of firefighters, by creating and maintaining a minimum of 100 feet of defensible space. We’re ready for wildfire; are you?” Fulcher said.

Since the beginning of the year, firefighters have responded to 3,100 wildfires that have covered 19,000 acres.

Cal Fire said it may issue restricted temporary burning permits if there is an essential reason.