(a) Upon the conclusion of the examination provided for in Section 4493, the department may issue to the applicant a burning permit that shall specify the site preparation requirements and required precautions to be exercised before and during the burning. The issuance of a permit by the department does not relieve the permitholder from the duty of exercising due diligence to avoid damage to property of others in conducting the burning of vegetation as authorized by the permit.
(b) Compliance with a permit issued pursuant to this article shall constitute prima facie evidence of due diligence.
(c) The department shall develop and deploy an automated system for burn permits issued pursuant to this article.