While the North State finally had a near-average winter, the fire season looks to be just about as dangerous. And starting Monday, CAL FIRE has suspended permits for all outdoor residential burning in Nevada, Yuba, Placer, and Sierra Counties. That includes landscape debris, like branches and leaves. That’s about the same time suspension went into a place a year ago. Captain John Hotchkiss, a fire specialist, says the number of blazes they’ve responded to has begun to pick up significantly…

click to listen to Capt Hotchkiss

The Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit has responded to 105 wildfires so far. Hotchkiss says although the additional rain and snow helped, drought conditions persist with residential vegetation…

click to listen to Capt Hotchkiss

Hotchkiss says trees are also still extremely dry, with an increasing number killed by drought and bark beetles. He days the Fire Safe Council can also assist residents with proper defensible space of at least 100 feet away from a home. He also says most communities have alternative disposal programs available when you can’t burn.