Fire hydrants spend most of their time unused, yet they are relied upon in a moment’s notice to provide fire flow for the protection of a business or home. They are an indispensable facet of the overall fire protection service. A fire engine can only carry a limited amount of water, so it is vitally important for Firefighters to be able to hook the fire engines to the hydrants to supply them with enough water to fight the fire. Fire engines also have a pump that gives the water from the hydrant enough pressure to fill the hoses and helps the firefighters reach the seat of the fire.
The El Dorado Hills area has over 3,000 public fire hydrants. These hydrants are maintained by El Dorado County Irrigation District, however you may see our Firefighters out doing inspections on the fire hydrants to ensure that each one is operational.
If you have a hydrant on your property, it is required to keep a 3 foot clearance around the hydrant and maintain a clear view from the roadway as to not hinder the accessibility during an emergency (this includes vegetation, landscaping and other items). Never tamper with or allow children to play with or on fire hydrants. Time is very important when fighting a fire; if inlet covers are jammed or damaged, they cannot be accessed quickly. Never park in front of a fire hydrant. It is illegal and can result in a costly fine.
Have you ever wondered what the blue reflectors were on the roadways or why our hydrants are painted white instead of red?
- The blue reflectors in the middle of the roads are markers that are strategically placed directly across from a hydrant. These markers help the emergency personnel find the hydrant in a timely manner during an emergency situation. The next time you see a blue reflector, look to the side of the road and you will spot a fire hydrant.
- The fire hydrants are painted 'Safety White' to help the emergency personnel spot them at night. Because our community is a starlit community, the white hydrants stand out better at night than red fire hydrants.
If you notice that a fire hydrant in El Dorado County is leaking or appears to have an issue, please contact El Dorado County Irrigation District at (530) 642-4100 and then email the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the location of the hydrant.
To report a hydrant water leak, visit EID's website and complete the form.
Related Links:
EID Fire Hydrant Interactive Map
EID Website
Do I need a Residential Burn Permit?
If you plan to burn vegetative debris on your property, you will need to obtain a burn permit. Burn permits are available online at https://burnpermit.fire.ca.gov/. Please note burn permits are no longer issued in person at our fire stations.
If you are burning material in a pile GREATER in size than 4 feet x 4 feet, you MUST obtain a Burn Permit from El Dorado County Air Quality Management District (AQMD):
El Dorado County Air Quality Management District
330 Fair Lane
Placerville, CA 95667
(530) 621-6662
When can I burn?
All burning must take place on a designated Burn Day. Please call (530) 621-5897 or toll free (866) 621-5897 immediately prior to igniting your pile for Burn Day status. You can also check the Air Quality Control website for burn day status.
What material can I legally burn?
Residential burning is limited to tree trimmings, vines, brush, leaves, lawn clippings and dry plants collected from the property on which you are burning.
DO NOT BURN stumps or poison oak.
What is ILLEGAL to burn?
Household garbage such as paper, junk mail, cardboard, cans, glass, furniture, plastics, rubber, tires, tar paper, asphalt shingles, dimensioned lumber, treated lumber, insulation, caulking tubes, paints or coatings, metal wire, or other miscellaneous construction and demolition debris, are SOME of the materials that are illegal to burn. These items produce toxic pollutants that may cause cancer, immune system damage, and other health problems.
ALL BURN BARRELS HAVE BEEN BANNED
How should I burn my material?
Prior to burning, vegetative material must be dry and reasonably free of dirt. Burn piles should be constructed in such a way as to allow fresh air intake to promote more efficient burning for reduced smoke generation. *Only material that will burn in 24 hours can be ignited. If your pile is wet, let it dry for a few days before burning. Avoid causing a smoke nuisance for your neighbors.
IMPORTANT
The following are burning permit terms for burning debris in small 4'x 4' pile:
- Maximum pile size 4 foot in diameter.
- Area within 10 feet of the outer edge of pile is maintained free and clear of all flammable material and vegetation.
- Responsible person in attendance with shovel until fire is dead out.
- Water supply at burning site.
- No burning shall be undertaken unless weather conditions (particularly wind) are such that burning can be considered safe.
- Additional terms and conditions.
VIOLATIONS OF ANY BURNING PERMIT TERMS ARE A VIOLATION OF STATE LAW
(PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE 4421, 4422, 4423 AND 4425)
Health & Safety Code 13009 states that persons who lose control of a permitted burn may be liable for suppression costs.
If you have any questions about backyard burning, please call the Community Risk Reduction team at (916) 933-6623.
