San Joaquin Valley Open Ag Burning
Resources & CAWG Hot Line

This page is intended to provide general information and support for growers when removing a vineyard and seeking approval to conduct an open ag burn.

This for informational purposess only. Please contact your legal counsel if you have questions specific to the requirements for burning at your vineyard. CAWG also offers legal services to our grower members.  The law firm of Downey Brand LLP specializes in this kind of environmental law.

 Additionally, CAWG offers a AG BURN HOTLINE to assist our grower members.  Details are below. 

 Resources

 The process for getting approval to burn and for then getting approval to burn on a specific day can be laborious and time consuming. If the grower is removing a diseased vineyard, the need for timely resolution is even more pressing. 

 CAWG recommends planning ahead as much as possible. If you are intending to burn, before taking out the vineyard, have a system or process in place for how to seek approval to burn and then for getting approval to burn on a specific burn day. Document everything and keep those records on file. 

 Below are some links to helpful information:

 -Current Open Burning Requirements

 -Information on the Ag Burn Alternatives Grant Program
 https://ww2.valleyair.org/media/5madylcc/agburnalt-flyer.pdf
https://ww2.valleyair.org/grants/ag-burn-alternatives-grant-program/
https://ww2.valleyair.org/grants/small-farms

-Compliance Assistance Bulletin from the District

-District Rule 4103 on Open Ag Burning

 CAWG Ag Burn Hot Line|

For practical purposes, Open Ag Burn is in many cases no longer a viable option in the Central Valley and will be prohibited entirely beginning in 2025.

With that in mind, CAWG recommends diligently going through the steps provided in the above links.  If you then find yourself needing to urgently dispose of removed vineyards, please click on this link to provide information to CAWG.  Our staff will then attempt to help facilitate the process in working with Valley Air District staff. 

We appreciate that the link is asking for a lot of information.  However, the more information you can provide, the more CAWG may be able to assist you. 

NOTE:  We can make no promises, except that CAWG will do everything we can to help you achieve a timely disposal of the vines.

 Phasing Out Open Ag Burn

 Open Ag Burn in the Central Valley is being phased out. Below are the specifics on the phase out relative to winegrapes.

 Open Burning Currently Prohibited as Follows
-For Cordon (Spur-Pruned) Vineyards:Prohibit burning at ag operations with more than 1,000 acres of total vines at all locations.
-For Cane-Pruned Vineyards: Prohibit burning at ag operations with more than 250 acres of total vines at all locations.

 Effective January 1, 2024
-For Cordon Vineyards:Prohibit burning at ag operations with more than250 acres of total vines at all locations.
-For Cane-Pruned Vineyards: Prohibit burning at ag operations with more than 100 acres of total vines at all locations.

 Effective January 1, 2025
-All operations are prohibited from burning all sizes of removals except in cases of disease and pest concerns.

 CAWG is continuing to work with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District and the California Air Resources Board During the phase out. We are seeking funding and expansion of alternatives to open air burn including how to make those alternatives economically feasible and readily available. 

 Nonetheless, 2024 will likely be the last year for open ag burn as we know it. Below are some helpful links to more information about the phase out:
-Information on the Phase Out of Open Agricultural Burning in the San Joaquin Valley
-2020 Staff Report and Recommendations on Agricultural Burning
-Supplemental Report and Recommendations on Agricultural Burning