Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department Chief Robert Fish lifted the county's outdoor burn suspension and reopened hazardous hiking areas on Monday, Nov. 2, according to Patch, citing City News Service.

The move follows October storms that soaked the Inland Empire, replacing dry summer vegetation with green growth, Patch reported.

"Improved weather conditions allow us to resume permitted burning and reopen our 'Hazardous Hiking Areas,'" Fish said, according to the report. "However, wildfire remains a year-round threat, and we encourage everyone to remain vigilant and practice fire safety."

What it means for property owners

Property owners under the county fire department's jurisdiction who obtain burn permits can now resume burning on designated days when no air quality alerts are in effect, officials said, according to the report.

Residents of cities that operate their own fire agencies will need to get permits through those departments.

The Cal Fire burn permit site specifies that its permits cover only the State Responsibility Area or areas where Cal Fire has jurisdiction. For properties outside that zone, the site directs residents to contact their local city or county fire authority and regional air district.

Residential burn permits cover disposal of vegetative material from single- or two-family homes in small burn piles no larger than 4 feet by 4 feet, according to the state site. Larger burns require separate permits reviewed by unit staff and may need a site inspection.

Violating burn permit terms is a violation of state law.

Hiking areas reopen

Six hazardous hiking areas under county fire's authority also reopened Nov. 2. The fire department had obtained the Riverside County Board of Supervisors' approval in early May to close the locations to general use, with only residents allowed to enter or leave. That practice dates to 2007, according to the report.

The six areas are Bautista Canyon southeast of Hemet, Eagle Canyon near Lake Mathews, Indian Canyon and North Mountain around San Jacinto, the Ramona Bowl south of Hemet, and Steel Peak northwest of Meadowbrook.

The closures were put in place because wildfires in those remote spots can be difficult to reach. Restrictions on hiking and biking in those areas likely will not return until late next spring, according to the report.

Temecula-area residents who want to burn can check whether their property falls within Cal Fire's jurisdiction and apply for a permit at burnpermit.fire.ca.gov.