Red Flag Warning Prompts Urgent Ban On Open Burning

Due to the current red flag warning as the result of strong gusty winds and low relative humidity, effective at 12 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Chief John R. Hawkins has suspended open burning in all State and Local responsibility areas within the County of Riverside. Incorporated cities may be issuing their own bans. 

In addition to suspension of open burning, the following restrictions also are applied in the same areas: 

1. Use of campfires is restricted to within established campfire facilities located in established campgrounds open to the public. 

2. Agricultural burning in the Palo Verde Valley and Coachella Valley is authorized as required for agricultural rehabilitation. 

3. Cooking fires with a valid permit are permissive when no alternate means of cooking is available and requires an on-site inspection prior to the issuance of a permit. 

4. Warming fires are permissive and require an on-site inspection prior to the issuance of a permit when weather conditions exist to justify the request.