Reducing Fire Risk in Sacramento County Parks
Sacramento County’s Regional Parks is continuing our goal to decrease the number and size of wildfires in our parks, and protect our high priority forests, wildlife habitats, and cultural resources. Parks staff are using and evaluating a number of techniques to balance resource protection and fire risk, including prescribed fire, livestock grazing, and maintaining our designated firebreaks and fire roads.
Listed below is a schedule of Sacramento County Regional Parks' wildfire risk reduction activities.
Resident and Property Owner Responsibilities
Anyone who owns or lives on property adjacent to County Parks should be aware of the following rules and guidelines:
- Do not dispose of yard waste or trash onto County property behind your fences. Residents in the unincorporated area of Sacramento County are entitled to one bulky waste collection per calendar year at no charge
- Reduce fire fuel on your property. Visit Ready for Wildfire for tips and info.
- Learn about the Metro Fire Department's Community Risk Reduction Division, (formerly Fire Prevention Bureau) is responsible for protecting the public through coordinated efforts in fire prevention, code enforcement, fire protection engineering, fire and life safety education and fire investigation.
- Fuel Break Maintenance Permits now available for those who live next to Regional Parks
- Annual Encroachment Permits are now available to those residents who wish to maintain a fuel break behind their backyard fence on Regional Parks property. These annual permits are free of charge and will allow residents to string-trim grass and weeds for up to 50 feet beyond their private property line.
- The permit is only for cutting non-woody vegetation, such as a grasses and weeds, and does not allow cutting or removing woody plants, such as trees, shrubs or vines. Acceptable methods include string trimming or hand-tool removal. Lawn mowers, which could spark a fire, or herbicides are not permitted.
- To see specific permit conditions, read the pdf document.
- You may request a permit by providing your name, address and contact information to Regional Parks at parksinfo@SacCounty.gov.
Parks Visitor Responsibilities
Visitors to Sacramento County Regional Parks should be aware of the following regulations:
- Smoking is only allowed in developed picnic areas, asphalt surfaces, golf courses and levee tops in the American River Parkway.
- Open flame fires are not allowed and barbequing is only permitted in designated picnic areas.
Fire Fuel Reduction Action Plan
Listed below is a tentative schedule of Fire Fuel Reduction Plans for 2024. This schedule is subject to change, so check back for updates!
