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1. Is smoke a problem with residential backyard burning in the Granite Bay area?

For many years, citizens in the Granite Bay area have been concerned with smoke impacts from residential burning. As our population has increased, there are more homes on smaller lots with closer neighbors resulting in more smoke impacts. Numerous complaints have been filed with both the Air District and the South Placer Fire Protection District regarding nuisance smoke. This has decreased with the changes that took place in 2003.

2. Why implement changes in Granite Bay?

In March of 2002, the Air District made a presentation to the Granite Bay Municipal Advisory Committee (MAC) regarding smoke from residential backyard burning. 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 worked with the Committee to provided technical support. The final report of the committee was presented and endorsed by the MAC in March 2003 with recommended changes in burn permit issuance, the burn hours and the burn season. These changes were implemented by both the Air District and the South Placer Fire District.

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.

3. What is included in the Granite Bay area?

Residents who live in the 95746 and 95661 zip codes.

4. When is the burn season?

The burning season begins when the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s (CAL FIRE) summer Burn Ban is lifted in the fall and ends June 15th, or earlier.

5. Do I need a burn permit and where do I get one?

Residents must obtain a year round residential 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, however for Non-Residential burning please contact the Air District to obtain a burn permit or for burn permit information.

6. What days can I burn?

Residential burning is allowed only during the first half of each month, from the 1st to the 15th, on those days that are authorized as burn days. There is no burning allowed on Easter or on federal holidays. The 16th through the end of each month are designated no burn days.

7. 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 the burn hours are between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. There is no burning on Easter or on federal holidays. The 16th through the end of each month are designated no burn days.

8. How do I find out if its a burn day?

The Air District maintains a daily burn day message system that has a specific message for Granite Bay residents. Burning is allowed only on a permissive burn day.

• For the Greater Auburn Area (within 12 miles) (or for cell phones), call 530-889-6868
• All other areas of Placer County (land lines only), call 800-998-BURN (2876) toll-free

The Air District has established a policy in making federal holidays no burn days in Placer County. On days when the fire danger is increased, the Air District works very closely with local fire officials to include their information in the burn day message.

9. What are the different drying times for vegetation?

Material & Size Required Drying Times

Prunings/cuttings less than 3 inches diameter needs 15 days minimum of drying

Prunings, brush, small branches 3 to 6 inches diameter needs 3 to 6 weeks drying

Trees, stumps and large branches greater than 6 inches diameter needs 6 weeks minimum drying

Stumps or vegetation greater than 12 inches diameter, at the cut end, shall not be included in the burn unless they are split in half and free of dirt.

10. How should I burn my material?

All vegetation must be dry and reasonably free from dirt. If your burn pile is wet let it dry before burning. Before it rains, cover your burn pile with a tarp to keep it dry. Only burn vegetation that can be reasonably burned before the next day. Avoid causing a smoke nuisance to neighbors or nearby businesses. 

CAL FIRE has put together an educational fact sheet (PDF) on safety when burning vegetation.

11. How are the burn rules enforced?

The Placer County Air Pollution Control District works together with the South Placer Fire Protection District to enforce the burn rules.

12. What are the regulations for non-residential burning?

All other open burning requires a year round Burn Permit from the Air District. This includes:

• Agricultural Burning
• Burning for Land Development
• Ditches
• Levees
• Roadways

Contact the Air District at 530-745-2330, if in doubt about the burning requirements.