Fort Jones Municipal Code Ch. 8.08 Residential Outdoor Burning

(a) No person shall ignite, or allow to become ignited, allowable combustibles unless it is a permissive burn day in the county. Permits are required year-round within the town. No person shall dispose of dry, natural vegetation waste originating on the premises from yard maintenance, if reasonably free of dirt, soil and surface moisture from any property by burning unless the following minimum drying periods are met:

(1) Pruning and small branches: three weeks.

(2) Grass clippings: three weeks with turning once per week.

(3) Large branches (six inches and larger) and trees: eight weeks.

(4) Unwanted trees: three months.

(5) All unwanted trees over six inches in diameter shall be felled and dried prior to the burn.

(b) No person shall conduct residential waste burning in piles unless the piles are no larger than four feet in diameter, the material to be burned is dry and originated on the premises.

(c) Incinerator burning is prohibited, and there shall be no exceptions.

(Ord. No. 2022-5, § 8.04.010, 3-14-2022)

(a) Open outdoor fires for the disposal of natural vegetation, only on a permissive burn day, shall be granted for the following:

(1) Right-of-way clearing by a public entity or utility or for levee, reservoir or ditch maintenance.

(2) The disposal of wood waste from trees, vines, or bushes on property being developed for commercial or residential purposes or the disposal of brush cuttings resulted from brush clearance done in compliance with local ordinances to reduce fire hazard, on the property where it was grown, if reasonably free of dirt, soil and surface moisture. Burning under this subdivision is subject to the conditions specified in Health and Safety Code, §§ 41803 and 41804 and the following drying times:

a. Prunings and small branches: three weeks;

b. Grass clippings: three weeks with turning once per week;

c. Large branches (six inches and larger) and trees: eight weeks;

d. Unwanted trees: three months;

e. All unwanted trees over six inches in diameter shall be felled and dried prior to the burn.

(b) Burn permits can be obtained free of charge at the town fire department.

(Ord. No. 2022-5, § 8.04.020, 3-14-2022)

The chief of the fire department may delay issuance of any such permit, postpone the time provided in the permit for burning, or revoke any such permit at any time when, in his/her judgment, conditions exist which might cause the burning of such rubbish to be or become hazardous.

(Ord. No. 2022-5, § 8.04.030, 3-14-2022)

Any expense incurred by the town in suppressing any fire resulting in the burning pursuant to any such permit or for the protection of property endangered by the burning pursuant to any such permit shall be borne by the permittee. The permittee, by applying for such permit, shall be deemed to have agreed to bear all such expense, which expense shall be in accordance with the rates established by the chief of the fire department and approved by the town council.

(Ord. No. 2022-5, § 8.04.040, 3-14-2022)