Winters Fire Protection District

Rural yard burn permits are closed as of

May 31st 2023

During certain times of the year and in certain parts of the state, residential landscape debris burning of dead vegetation is allowed. However, homeowners should always check with their local fire station or CAL FIRE station, as well as local air quality management agency before burning. Burn permits may be required and during the dry months, Cal Fire will suspend burning altogether.

Addresses in Winters are located within the City of Winters, the Winters Fire Protection District, and in the State Responsible Area which includes areas west of County Road 88 (examples: addresses on Golden Bear, Encinas, Quail Canyon, Etc).

• Addresses in the Winters Fire Protection District are subject to rural yard burn permits issued by the Winters Fire Department (further information and application available HERE).
• Addresses in the State Responsible Area are subject to rural yard burn permits issued by CalFire (further information and application available HERE). Cal Fire Burn Permits are only for within the SRA, or where Cal Fire has jurisdictional authority. Please verify your address using the Calfire Burn Permit Responsibility Area Viewer.

Types of Permits

Rural Yard Burning: limited to vegetative yard material from maintenance of residential properties not located in an incorporated city, and where local code allows burning. Rural yard/ residential burn permits are issued by the Winters Fire Department and/or Calfire based on your location

Agricultural burning: includes any open burning of vegetative agricultural materials generated by agricultural operations on land used for commercial agricultural purposes. Agriculture burn permits are issued by the Yolo -Solano Air Quality Management District. For more information regarding this process, please visit their web page HERE.

Notifications for a burn permit

In YOLO COUNTY PLEASE DIAL 530-666-8920 to:

• Confirm a burn day
• Log the address/location of your burn
• Provide the dispatcher with your name and contact information should there be an emergency

Determining a Burn Day

Burn days are ultimately determined by the Air Quality Management District. Resources can be found at https://www.ysaqmd.org/rules-compliance/burning/

Questions regarding air quality can be directed to

Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District
1947 Galileo Court, Suite 103; Davis, CA 95618
530-757 – 3650

What is Residential Recreational Outdoor Burning?

Residential recreational outdoor burning includes campfires, bonfires, as well as burning in fire
pits, outdoor fireplaces and similar free-standing devices. Additionally, an outdoor fire can be
used for the cooking of food.

What can be burned?

Only dry vegetation/wood and clean unpainted untreated dry lumber with a small amount of
starter materials, such as hay or small kindling, can be burned. Flammable liquids shall not be
used.

What are the options for recreational outdoor burning?

Portable Outdoor Fire Pits and Outdoor Fireplaces:

These devices, sold by many businesses, fully contain the fire by means of a metal screen or grate and shall be utilized in accordance with
the manufacturer’s instructions. All portable outdoor fires must be at least 15 feet from any structure or combustible material.
This condition is exempt when used at one and two-family dwellings.

Recreational Fires:

These more permanent outdoor fire pits can have no more than a total burning fuel area of 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height. Fires exceeding these dimensions are not permitted in the City of Winters. The fire must be fully contained by means of a fire ring or pit and located a minimum of 25 feet from any structure or combustible material.

How must the burning be conducted?

All outdoor recreational fires, fire pits and outdoor fireplaces must be constantly attended until the fire is completely extinguished. A portable fire extinguisher with a minimum 4-A rating or other on-site fire-extinguishing equipment such as sand or a garden hose must be available for immediate utilization. Smoke from burning cannot bother or cause a nuisance to neighbors. Any burning which constitutes a hazardous condition will be required by the Winters Fire Department to be immediately discontinued. The burning of trash or any other combustible materials for waste or disposal purposes is prohibited in the City.

Before you Burn:

Check with Yolo-Solano Air Quality District for Air Quality Alerts at: www.ysaqmd.org