ATASCADERO — The City of Atascadero Fire & Emergency Services announces a new, online burn-permitting website and app. This is a major step forward to ensure public safety in the community in partnership with the Western Fire Chiefs Association and its Outdoor Debris Burn Permitting system, PublicFireSafety.com.  

“We are extremely pleased to offer the community a user-friendly, free, online permitting system enabling users to obtain important information and services online while allowing staff to track outdoor burns more effectively and disseminate important fire safety information,” said Fire Chief Casey Bryson.

Permits will be obtained online by visiting the City’s website: Atascadero.org or by using the Public Fire Safety App. To register for a permit, a resident’s name, street address, and text messaging phone number are required. Those who do not have Internet Access can request a permit at (805) 461-5070 Ext. 8 or visit City Hall at 6500 Palma Ave. This new online system is very user-friendly, however, new systems can be intimidating, so the staff will be available to help residents sign up.  

Atascadero Fire & Emergency Services’ open burn season typically from January to May of each year. As always, safety is of the utmost importance. This new online system allows staff to see burn locations on a daily basis, immediately notify users of changing conditions, message important fire safety information, ensure that those planning to burn are aware of the rules and regulations and that the right jurisdiction is being notified of the planned burn. 

The process is simple and can be summed up in one slogan — “check-in before you burn.” Residents are required to maintain accurate emergency contact information and schedule each burn day with the app. It is also critical to “check-in” on the day of the burn to ensure burning has not since been closed. Open burning can only be conducted with a permit issued by Atascadero Fire & Emergency Services. 

The fire department will determine before 8 am each day whether burning will be allowed within the City. The burning status (open, closed, info, & warnings) will be posted instantly to your app and to PublicFireSafety.com. Staff will also continue to update the burn line message daily. If conditions change without warning, the fire department will be able to respond proactively, sending text messages to all residents that have a burn scheduled that day.

The Public Fire Safety (PFS) system is available as an iPhone or android app. The app offers a convenient method for residents to schedule burn days, check conditions, and see alerts at any time, including a comprehensive local wind and moisture forecast. The PFS app is available now for free in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. In your app store, just search on “Public Fire Safety,” get the app, open it, sign in, and schedule your burn days. 

“The app offers an even easier experience than the website,” Fire Chief Casey Bryson stated. “We are in the process of gathering feedback on the app and welcome questions, comments, or concerns from our residents. We want to make sure the app is easy to use, and really effective for collaborative fire safety. We appreciate residents’ patience during the transition to the new online system, and we are confident that they will find the process far more efficient and user-friendly than methods used in the past.”