BUTTE COUNTY, CA (MPG) – California experienced another wet winter that filled reservoirs for an unprecedented third year in a row. The plentiful precipitation also caused significant vegetation growth in Butte County. No matter how much rain the area receives throughout winter and spring, however, the abundant grass crops dry out as the temperature rises and humidity drops.

While wildfires are a natural part of California’s landscape, the increasing fire danger posed by dead grass and hotter, drier conditions in the region are prompting CAL FIRE to suspend all burn permits for outdoor residential burning within the State Responsibility Area of Butte County. This suspension goes into effect June 16 and bans all residential outdoor burning of landscape debris such as branches and leaves.

“We encourage residents to use this weekend to finish any debris burning that may help you achieve your defensible space goals,” said Garrett Sjolund, the CAL FIRE/Butte County Fire Department Fire Chief. “But we urge caution as the risk of an escaped control burn is rising with the temperature.”

As of June 9, CAL FIRE and firefighters across the state have responded to 2,343 wildfires that have burned more than 76,292 acres this year, including 251 wildfires burning more than 1,700 acres just in the last week.

After outdoor burning of landscape debris by homeowners is no longer allowed, CAL FIRE is asking residents to continue preparing their home for wildfire by creating defensible space and hardening their home.

Some tips to help prepare homes and property are to clear all dead and dying vegetation 100 feet from around all structures; landscape with fire resistant plants and non-flammable ground cover; and find alternative ways to dispose of landscape debris like chipping hauling it to a biomass energy or green waste facility.

The department may issue restricted temporary burning permits if there is an essential reason due to public health and safety. Agriculture, land management, fire training, and other industrial-type burning may proceed if a CAL FIRE official inspects the burn site and issues a special permit.

The burn permit suspension applies to all areas of Butte County except within the city limits of Gridley and Biggs.

For up-to-date burning regulations, visit the Burning page at ButteCounty.net/Fire.