Burn permits required as dry season begins in Sonoma, other counties

The dry season is starting and permits now are required for open fires in Sonoma and several other counties.

Residents planning any type of open burning, such as debris piles, outside of cities and in rural hills and mountain areas must first get a permit from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Cal Fire permits are needed for burns in unincorporated Sonoma, Lake, Napa, Solano, Yolo and Colusa counties.

Residents also should check to see if additional permits are required by their local fire agency and air quality control district.

In Lake County, officials on Tuesday issued a countywide ban on open burning. Exemptions may be granted for open agricultural burning.

-- Randi Rossmann