The suspension on open burning in Riverside County was lifted Friday by Fire Department Chief Bill Weiser who also reopened six hiking areas that had been deemed hazardous.
“Decreased temperatures and increased rainfall across the region have dictated that permitted open burning can resume,” Weiser said in a statement.
Anyone with a valid agricultural and residential burn permit was allowed to again burn on burn days. Agricultural burns must be inspected by CalFire prior to burning.
The department advised residents to continue following all guidelines and maintaining fire control as individuals can be held liable if a fire goes beyond their control.
Residential burning is not permitted in Riverside County except for tumbleweeds. Burning trash, painted wood or other debris is also not allowed, along with burning on windy days, according to the department.
More information on permissive burn days is available by calling the South Coast Air Quality Management District at 866-966-3293 or online at www.aqmd.gov/home/air-quality/air-alerts.
The reopened hiking areas are:
— Eagle Canyon/Tine Mine (east of Corona);
— Steel Peak (north of Lake Elsinore);
— Bautista Canyon (southeast of Hemet);
— North Mountain (south of Banning, north of San Jacinto);
— Whitewater Canyon (east of Cabazon) and,
— Ramona Bowl (south of Hemet).
Future closures may be implemented upon weather conditions and increased fire threats, according to the department.