Open Burning Ban Announced For Bay Area Counties

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection announced a ban on open burning in areas including parts of Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, effective Thursday.

The ban also includes San Benito county and parts of Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties.

The affected areas are experiencing severe drought conditions and increased fire activity, according to CAL FIRE.

Agriculture, land management, fire training and other industrial-type burning is allowed if a CAL FIRE official inspects the burn site and issues a special permit to specifically exempt a burn from this ban.

Campfires are allowed in designated campgrounds or in established facilities on private property.

For more information on how to prepare for and prevent wildfires, visit www.readyforwildfire.org.