Government

Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation

Published date: March 30, 2026

Please note that the fire season has started and runs until November 15, 2026.

Category 1 fires do not require burning permits; however, you must check the Burning Restrictions each day to see if conditions allow for burning. The burning restrictions will be updated each day at approximately 2pm.

Burning permits are required for Category 2,3 and 4 fires. If you have a permit, you must check the Fire Weather Index each day to see if conditions allow for burning. The Fire Weather Index will be updated each day at approximately 2pm.

You can also call 1-800-237-5053 at 2pm to get the updated burning conditions for the fire categories.

Please note that burning is never permitted between 8am-2pm for Category 1 fires.

Please visit the Burning Restrictions webpage to see if campfires are currently permitted.

There is a growing need for wildfire prevention and mitigation as we continue to move our communities further into the Wildland Urban Interface. The wildland urban interface (WUI) refers to homes and communities that intermingle with wildland fuels. This interface creates heightened risk for forest fires; therefore, as we become increasingly exposed to the dangers of wildfire, mitigation efforts must be exercised.

What is the difference between wildfire prevention and wildfire mitigation?

The two may seem interchangeable, but prevention and mitigation are separate efforts. Prevention designed to STOP fire ignitions from happening and mitigation designed to REDUCE damage and impacts to homes, business and infrastructure once a fire occurs.

Prevention- designed to STOP fire ignitions from happening.
Prevention is “actions taken to avoid the occurrence of negative consequences associated with a given threat; prevention activities may be included as part of mitigation”

Mitigation- designed to REDUCE damages to homes and businesses once a fire occurs.
Mitigation is “actions taken to reduce the impact of disasters in order to protect lives, property, the environment, and to reduce economic disruption.”

What is the Wildland Urban Interface?

The characteristics of Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) fires are complex. They bring challenges and exhaust resources quickly with rapid fire spread, both structure & wildland fuels are involved, multiple structures are ignited at once, and can result in extraordinary losses and cost.

Interface: High-density development adjacent to wildland vegetation. Clear border between the built fuels and natural fuels.
Intermix: Lower-density housing mingled with wildland vegetation. Homes are mixed with natural fuels- no clear border between the two.
Wildland Fuels- All vegetation [natural and cultivated]
Built Fuels- Manufactured structures (buildings and infrastructure)

How do homes ignite?

Extreme Radiant Heat
Direct Flame
Embers/Sparks/Fire Brands

Wildland fuels and built fuels have different characteristics when burning. When the fuels combine and ignite, they create unique and complex conditions that spread fire differently than an isolated wildland fire. It is important to understand how we can live and work safely in the woods with these increased risks.