Crime & Safety

Open Burn Ban Being Lifted Across Riverside County, Some Hazardous Fire Areas Reopened

As winter weather descends on Riverside County, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Chief John R. Hawkins is lifting the suspension of open burning for all areas in Riverside County effective Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 8 a.m.

He is also reopening some hazardous fire areas for public use.

However, the chief is warning the wildfire risk doesn’t let up here.

Find out what's happening in Lake Elsinore-Wildomarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“The threat of wildfires in Riverside County is a year-round concern,” Hawkins said in a released statement. “We encourage the public to take advantage of the beautiful outdoor areas in Riverside County, while remaining vigilant that there is still dry brush out there that can easily ignite and start a fire.”

According to the chief, open burning is defined as:

Find out what's happening in Lake Elsinore-Wildomarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

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

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

3. Cooking fires with a valid permit; 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; permissive and require an on-site inspection prior to the issuance of a permit when weather conditions exist to justify the request.

Also, effective Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 8 a.m., Hawkins will reopen hazardous fire areas for public use in the following areas:

• Avery Canyon (Gibbel Road east of State Street in Hemet)

• North Mountain and Indian Canyon (San Jacinto area)

• Whitewater Canyon (Cabazon, north of Palm Springs)

• Nuevo/Lakeview (east of Menifee Road and San Jacinto Avenue)

• Minto (Sage)

• Reinhardt Canyon (north of Highway 74 and California Avenue in Hemet)

• Ramona Bowl and Bautista Canyon (southeast Hemet)

Expect the open burn ban and the closure of hazardous fire areas next year as wildfire conditions intensify during the warmer months.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.