The Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit of CAL FIRE has suspended all burning permits within State Responsibility Areas of Tuolumne County, Calaveras County, Eastern Stanislaus County and Eastern San Joaquin County as of 8AM, Tuesday May 6, 2008. “(We) have had numerous burn pile escapes occurring on a daily basis,” said CAL FIRE TCU Unit Chief Mike Noonan. “The weather and dry condition of the forest fuels are quickly approaching a critical point. Experience has shown that suspending debris burns is an effective way of preventing wildfire escapes, especially as California enters a period of hotter and drier weather. Although all fires cannot be prevented through a burning suspension, their numbers can be significantly reduced.” Chief Noonan thanked residents who have been burning in a responsible manner. This declaration rescinds all previously approved Dooryard Burn Permits and large-scale Project Burn Permits. Property owners wishing to burn debris on their property are now prohibited from doing so unless they can prove that their project burn must be completed for health or safety reasons. Any planned burning site must be inspected and approved before a permit may be reissued. Camp fires will be allowed in designated campgrounds with permission of the jurisdictional authority. Anyone with questions about this declaration may contact their nearest CAL FIRE facility.