Sacramento County supervisors have approved an ordinance that will make it a misdemeanor to start and use a fire in any regional park without a permit.

The goal of the new ordinance is to prevent fires sparked by barbecues from occurring in regional parks, including along the American River Parkway.

People will still be able to barbecue in designated picnic areas.

More than 50 wildfires have broken out in Sacramento County Regional Parks since May, most of them along the American River Parkway.

“Fires in the American River Parkway are an immediate threat to public safety,” said Sacramento County Supervisor Phil Serna. “The goal of this ordinance is to protect everyone who uses the Parkway, the neighborhoods surrounding it, and the public safety personnel who respond to the fires.”

The ordinance will go into effect immediately.

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