Cal Fire San Mateo & Santa Cruz Unit is allowing residential backyard burning permits starting Dec. 1.Cal Fire says due to recent rains and cooler temperatures, which have lowered the threat of wildfires, they lifted the ban on backyard burning which was put into place in May. If you wish to burn in your backyard you must obtain a burn permit through your local Air Resources District.For Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties you can use this link to fill out an application for a backyard burn permit.Make sure you verify the date and area you wish to burn in are not restricted. There are also burn permits available for agriculture and prescribed burns.