Granite Bay - Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a Problem with Burning in the Granite Bay Area?
For many years, citizens within the Granite Bay area have been concerned with smoke impacts from residential burning. With the increase in population, homes on smaller lots, neighbors are closer in distance, many who burn may not realize that their smoke can impact neighbors. Numerous complaints have been filed with both the Air District and the South Placer Fire Protection District regarding nuisance smoke.

Why implement changes in Granite Bay?
At the March 2002, the Air District made a presentation to the Granite Bay Municipal Advisory Committee (MAC). As a result of this presentation, the MAC formed the Residential Burn Compromise Committee to determine the desire of the community and to recommend a compromise policy that would satisfy citizens on both sides of the issue (suburban and rural). Air District and Fire District staff provided technical support to this committee. The final report of the committee was presented and endorsed by the MAC in March 2003. In April 2005 the Residential Burn Compromise Committee reconvened in order to review the burn hours. A recommendation to the MAC was made and approved to extend the burn hours for the month of May. Information that was presented to the MAC can be found at the Granite Bay Information Central.

What area is affected by the change?
The rules affect residents who live in the 95746 and 95661 zip code areas.

When is our Burn Season?
The burning season begins the day in which the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s summer Burn Ban is lifted and ends June 15^thonly on authorized burn days

How Do I Find out if its a Burn Day?
The Air District maintains a burn day message system, that has a specific message for Granite Bay residents, that provides "burn day - no burn day information. It is updated daily during the burning season and has been tailored for the Granite Bay area. For those who live in the greater area of Auburn, please call (530) 889-6868 or toll free for those outside a 12 miles area, phone (800) 998-BURN (2876).

Do I need a permit?
Residents must obtain a burn permit from the South Placer Fire Protection District in order to burn. Burn permits are not required from the Air District for residential burning. All other burning does require a burn permit from the Air District.

What Days can I Burn?
Beginning on June 1, 2003, residential burning is allowed only during the first half of each month, from the 1^st to the 15^th, on days that are authorized as burn days. There is no burning allowed on Easter or on federal holidays. The 16^th through the end of each month throughout the year will be designated No Burn Days.

What are the Burn Hours?
Burning must be conducted between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. except for the month of May in which burn hours are 8 a.m and 7 p.m. There will be no burning on Easter or on federal holidays. The 16th through the end of each month throughout the year will be designated No Burn Days.

How Should I Burn my Material?
All burn materials must be dry and reasonably free from dirt. If your burn pile is wet, let it dry before burning. Materials smaller than 6 inches in diameter usually take 3 to 6 weeks to dry. Materials 6 inches or greater in diameter usually take 6 weeks to dry.

Only burn materials that can be reasonably burned before the next day.
Before it rains, cover your burnable materials with a tarp to keep them dry.
If your burn pile is wet, let it dry a few days.
Avoid causing a smoke nuisance to neighbors or nearby businesses.

How are these regulations enforced?
The Placer County Air Pollution Control District works together with the South Placer Fire Protection District to enforce burn regulations in the Granite Bay area.

What about non-residential burning?
All other open burning requires a year round Burn Permit from the Air District. This includes Agricultural Burning, Ditches, Levees and Roadways, and any burning for Land Development. Contact the Air District, at (530) 745-2330, if in doubt about the burning requirements.

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	Granite Bay - Frequently Asked Questions Is there a Problem with Burning in the Granite Bay Area? For many years, citizens within the Granite Bay area have been concerned with smoke impacts from residential burning. With the increase in population, homes on smaller lots, neighbors are closer in distance, many who burn may not realize that their smoke can impact neighbors. Numerous complaints have been filed with both the Air District and the South Placer Fire Protection District regarding nuisance smoke. Why implement changes in Granite Bay? At the March 2002, the Air District made a presentation to the Granite Bay Municipal Advisory Committee (MAC). As a result of this presentation, the MAC formed the Residential Burn Compromise Committee to determine the desire of the community and to recommend a compromise policy that would satisfy citizens on both sides of the issue (suburban and rural). Air District and Fire District staff provided technical support to this committee. The final report of the committee was presented and endorsed by the MAC in March 2003. In April 2005 the Residential Burn Compromise Committee reconvened in order to review the burn hours. A recommendation to the MAC was made and approved to extend the burn hours for the month of May. Information that was presented to the MAC can be found at the Granite Bay Information Central. What area is affected by the change? The rules affect residents who live in the 95746 and 95661 zip code areas. When is our Burn Season? The burning season begins the day in which the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s summer Burn Ban is lifted and ends June 15^thonly on authorized burn days How Do I Find out if its a Burn Day? The Air District maintains a burn day message system, that has a specific message for Granite Bay residents, that provides "burn day - no burn day information. It is updated daily during the burning season and has been tailored for the Granite Bay area. For those who live in the greater area of Auburn, please call (530) 889-6868 or toll free for those outside a 12 miles area, phone (800) 998-BURN (2876). Do I need a permit? Residents must obtain a burn permit from the South Placer Fire Protection District in order to burn. Burn permits are not required from the Air District for residential burning. All other burning does require a burn permit from the Air District. What Days can I Burn? Beginning on June 1, 2003, residential burning is allowed only during the first half of each month, from the 1^st to the 15^th, on days that are authorized as burn days. There is no burning allowed on Easter or on federal holidays. The 16^th through the end of each month throughout the year will be designated *No Burn Days.* What are the Burn Hours? Burning must be conducted between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. except for the month of May in which burn hours are 8 a.m and 7 p.m. There will be no burning on Easter or on federal holidays. The 16th through the end of each month throughout the year will be designated *No Burn Days. How Should I Burn my Material?* All burn materials must be dry and reasonably free from dirt. If your burn pile is wet, let it dry before burning. Materials smaller than 6 inches in diameter usually take 3 to 6 weeks to dry. Materials 6 inches or greater in diameter usually take 6 weeks to dry. Only burn materials that can be reasonably burned before the next day. Before it rains, cover your burnable materials with a tarp to keep them dry. If your burn pile is wet, let it dry a few days. Avoid causing a smoke nuisance to neighbors or nearby businesses. How are these regulations enforced? The Placer County Air Pollution Control District works together with the South Placer Fire Protection District to enforce burn regulations in the Granite Bay area. What about non-residential burning? All other open burning requires a year round Burn Permit from the Air District. This includes Agricultural Burning, Ditches, Levees and Roadways, and any burning for Land Development. Contact the Air District, at (530) 745-2330, if in doubt about the burning requirements.