Learn about our ag
burn program
Our region has a rich history as a food grower. Yolo and Solano farms produce
world-famous crops of tomatoes, almonds, rice and sunflower seeds, among many
other grains, fruits and vegetables. In addition to the crops, though, farming
produces quite a bit of organic waste. One of the standard ways to get rid of
that waste has long been to burn it.
But as we all know, burning organic matter produces smoke that can be harmful
when breathed.
As such, the Yolo-Solano AQMD manages local outdoor agricultural burns through
its Agricultural
Burn Program. All farmers burning waste material, fields,
ditches or levies within the District’s borders must be permitted through the
program. There are five easy steps to have a legal ag burn in Yolo-Solano.
- Get a burn permit for the
current calendar year. Burn permits are issued beginning in early January and
are valid for the calendar year. The current base fee is $30. In
addition, the District charges an acreage burned fee at the end of the
calendar year.
- Find out the daily status and
receive authorization. We can’t allow ag burns every day: our mission to
protect health from harmful pollutants, and sometimes the weather raises
the chances ag burn smoke will impact residents. Call (530) 757-3660
to find out the status. If burning is allowed, you can at that point also
receive authorization to burn and any conditions (such as time limitations
and acreage) in place.
- After District approval,
authorize your burn with local dispatch. Sometimes, due to fire danger
or other reasons, local fire departments will have additional restrictions
or conditions. As such, after receiving Yolo-Solano AQMD authorization you
must contact your local fire dispatch to ensure they are notified of the
burn and if there are further restrictions in your fire control area.
- Follow all directions. If you violate any permanent
or temporary conditions – such as letting your burn smolder past the
cut-off time or burning unauthorized materials – you can face penalties
and have your burn permit revoked.
- Pay your acreage fee on time. We’ll bill you in January for
your previous year’s acreage. Current fees can be found at ysaqmd.org/burn.
When billed, you are encouraged to apply for a new calendar year
burn permit.
For more info on the Ag Burn Program, visit ysaqmd.org/burn/ag.php.
If you have questions, call the Ag Burn Line at (530) 757-3660.