Increased North Winds through Monday – Outdoor Burning Not Advised
Press release from CALFIRE:
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Windy conditions are expected across multiple counties in northwestern California this weekend and into Monday. While temperatures are moderate, wind is the biggest influencer of wildfire behavior. The CAL FIRE Humboldt – Del Norte Unit would like to remind the public that outdoor debris burning could lead to escaped wildfire when not conducted properly.
May 1st marked the beginning of the CAL FIRE burn permit requirement on State Responsibility Areas (SRA) in Humboldt, Del Norte, and Trinity Counties. The North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District (NCUAQMD) requires a permit any time of the year for outdoor debris burning.
This time of year typically means an increase in outdoor debris burning. To provide for your safety, and the safety of neighboring properties, it is important to always follow all permit terms and conditions. Failing to comply with those requirements is not only a violation of law but is often a causal factor in an escaped debris burn.
Every year CAL FIRE responds to debris burn escapes when residents underestimate weather conditions. The current windy conditions can lead to an escape, especially when burn permit terms are not followed. It is important to always remain in attendance, have clearance to bare soil around the pile, and not to burn when it is windy. Permits also require burn piles need to be fully extinguished at the end of the allowable burn time on the permit. An unextinguished burn pile can hold heat and embers for multiple days, even weeks depending on conditions. Such unextinguished, unattended piles are more susceptible to escape during windy conditions. Anyone who has burned recently should check their piles to ensure full extinguishment to ensure there will not be an escape.
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Been some wicked winds lately especially in the afternoons. Definitely hold on to your hat weather.
For some reason, the month of May is really windy around here. Just count on it.
March winds in May gonna blow all your troubles away!
You mean tarps? lol
I know to not burn in the wind but,,,But the RHBB banner says it’s a burn day in all areas…
Is this an old warning (like for yesterday into pre-dawn hours of Monday)? My weather report shows no unusual wind activity (north county on the coast)…
Monday morning (9 am) was beautiful on the beach (open ocean), north of Arcata. Now near EHS it’s kinda breezy.
I’m done burning for the season here in n. mendo, unless we get another shot of rain. I don’t care what calfire says
Burn days are an Air Quality thing – nothing to do with fire safety. A stable air mass will create inversions that can smoke out your neighbors. An unstable air mass will allow the smoke to rise and dissipate. Ironically, an unstable air mass (resulting in a burn day) can increase wildfire behavior.
I asked Cal Fire to clarify. According to their PIO, your burn permit has restriction above whether it is a permissive burn day including times, size, and conditions. He said there is language about not burning in windy conditions. So above an air quality permissive burn designation, a person must also abide by the conditions of their permit.
We added a note at the bottom of the banner in case some are unaware that burning in windy conditions isn’t just a bad item, but a violation of the burn permit.
Important to distinguish between an Air Quality permit and a CAL FIRE permit. Generally, CAL FIRE permits are not required until about May 1. So the situation could be that the Air Quality permit could permit burning on dry, windy days before that.
Yes, but Air Quality permits also have regs about burning in windy conditions. Here’s what my 2026 NCUAQMD permit says:
1. Burning is only permitted on a Permissive Burn Day (Call Burn Day Hotline number above).
2. Maximum Burn Pile Size: 4-foot diameter. (burn no more than (1) pile at a time)
3. Burn Hours: 6:00 a.m. to Noon.
4. Approved Combustibles: Only dried vegetative matter grown on the property
5. Property must have a residence onsite.
6. Maximum care must be taken to keep smoke from drifting into neighbors and populated areas.
7. A responsible person aged 18 or older shall be present at all times until the fire is completely extinguished.
8. Do not burn unless weather conditions (particularly winds) are such that burning can be considered safe.
9. Burning is permitted only when a valid burn permit is accessible to the responsible party at the burn site.
10. This permit must be shown to a public officer or fire official upon request.
11. Area within ten (10) feet of the outer edge of the burn pile must be clear of all flammable material.
12. Water supply must be present on-site and of sufficient capacity and volume to extinguish the fire at any time.
13. All burning must comply with Federal, State, County, and local fire protection agency burn requirements.
The wind here died after sunset last night; remained calm all night through this morning so far…very very peaceful now compared to the Terrible cold dry winds past few days.
It is just plain and simple, DON’T BURN ON WINDY DAYS! The winds may not be blowing when you start, but they can pick up later and your little burn pile could easily become a wildland fire. I don’t think anyone wants that on their property. I prefer to burn very small piles and won’t start another one until this first one is completely out. I have a water wagon that I pull behind my ATV. After the first pile is out, I soak that pile with a few gallons of water, then move on to burn the second pile.
Words of wisdom, Martin.
Somewhat, but we all learn hopefully from our mistakes. I sure have, hence the tiny piles to be burned.
I hate the north/northwest winds that blow dry and cold.
But, they also bring the coastal ocean upwellings and colder water to the surface as well as, especially nutrients. The water has been too warm, bring on the upwelling.
And yes, on land, not a good idea to be burning.
No need to move to San Francisco for the gale-like winds. We have SF weather right here in our beautiful, peaceful Humboldt.