Residential burning is the most common burning activity in Placer County. Residents most commonly burn vegetation from yard clean-up. With the County’s growing population and the Granite Bay area changing from rural to suburban, the Air District and the Fire District are receiving an increasing number of air pollution and fire complaints from Granite Bay residents. Many of these complaints are about burning illegal materials, burning on a no-burn day, and burning that causes a nuisance to neighbors.

Daily burn day information is available by calling the Air District’s Burn Day Information System. Within 12 miles of Auburn and for cell phones, please call 530-889-6868. For other locations in Placer County, please call, 1-800-998-BURN (2876).

In Granite Bay, you will need a Fire District burn permit for any residential burning. The South Placer Fire Protection District Stations provide burn permits in the Granite Bay area. The Fire District number is (916) 791-7059.  Residential burning will be allowed only during the first half of each month, from the first through the 15th on days within that period that APCD and the fire agencies have authorized burning.  Burning must be conducted between 8 a.m. and 5 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".

The only materials that can be burned legally include dry tree and brush trimmings, dry leaves and pine needles, dry plants and dry weeds. Lawn clippings may not be burned.  Burning household garbage, plastics, fiberglass, rubber products, waste oil or treated wood (such as painted wood, dimensioned lumber and plywood) is strictly prohibited. These materials can produce poisonous, toxic gases when burned.

To report a complaint about backyard burning in Granite Bay Monday thru Friday between 8 am and 5 pm. call the Air Pollution Control District at 800-488-4308 ext. 2330.  To report a complaint after working hours or on a holiday or weekend call 800-488-4308 ext.5375.

Be considerate of your neighbors by only burning dry materials, burning on a burn day during burn hours. As an alternative to burning, consider composting your vegetative material. Call the Rotline at 530-889-7399 for information on composting. Composting will "spare the air" and improve your garden.

Improving and maintaining good air quality is a high priority with the Placer County Air Pollution Control District and with most residents. For further information on air quality please call at 530-745-2330

• You will need a burn permit from the South Placer Fire Protection District for any residential burning in the Granite Bay area. Any South Placer Fire District Station can issue a burn permit for the Granite Bay area. The Fire District number is (916) 791-7059.  

• Burning on vacant lots, parcels or businesses is not considered residential burning. Burning materials in these places does require a burn permit from the Air Pollution Control District.  

What can I burn? 

• Here's the list of legally burnable materials for residential burning: 

  • dry leaves and dry pine needles, 

  • dry tree trimmings, 

  • dry plants and dry weeds 

• This material must come from a single or two family residences on the property where you are burning. 

  • Burning dry material takes less effort, creates less smoke, and causes fewer complaints. 

  • It is no longer legal to burn grass clippings because they cause too much smoke.

  • New rules ban the burning of garbage (including paper and cardboard) and the use of burn barrels state-wide beginning Jan. 1, 2004

What is illegal to burn? 

• It's illegal to burn many items at your residence, including but not limited to the following things: 

  • Garbage or rubbish, metal and cans, 

  • insulation, caulking tubes, paints or coatings

  • construction or demolition debris, 

  • furniture, dimensioned or treated lumber, 

  • asphalt shingles, tar paper, 

  • tires, rubber, plastics and glass 

  • grass clippings

   

• Smoke from burning these items can contain harmful chemicals, which may cause illness. 

How should I burn my material? 

• Maximum pile size is 4 feet in diameter.

• Area within 10 feet of the outer edges of the pile shall be maintained free and clear of flammable material and vegetation.

• An adult shall be in attendance with shovel until fire is dead out.

• A water supply shall be provided at the burning site.

• Burning shall be done when weather conditions do not create an unsafe burning condition.

• Be a good neighbor. If the smoke is affecting your neighbor or creating an unsafe condition, put the fire out.  If your burn is causing a smoke nuisance, you will be asked to extinguish your burn.

• 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" in diameter usually take 3 to 6 weeks to dry. 

• Materials 6" or greater in diameter usually take at least 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.

When can I burn? 

• You can only burn if your CC&Rs do not prohibit burning, and then you may only burn on a "burn day." For burn day information, please call: toll-free for Granite Bay residents in Placer County - 1-800-998-2876 (998-BURN)  

There are alternatives to burning! 

• Compost, mulch, chip or shred 

  • branches, vegetation, leaves or pine needles  

• CDF fuel reduction chipper program - call (530) 889-0111, ext. 3

• Placer County Master Composters or call the ROTLINE - 530-889-7399. 

• Recycle cardboard and paper 

• Use larger branches and wood as firewood 

Where can I get more information on burning and air quality? 

• Call, visit or write the 

Placer County Air Pollution Control District 

3091 County Center Drive, Suite 240 Auburn, CA 95603, 

Phone: (530) 745-2330    FAX: (530) 745-2373