During certain times of the year, when fire danger is high, residential debris burning of dead vegetation is unsafe. Homeowners should always check with their local CAL FIRE station and local air quality management agency before burning. 

Even if your county is marked as "burning allowed" on the burn status page, you must still verify that it is a permissive burn day in your area by contacting your local air quality management agency.  Contact information will be printed on your permit, or may be found at the State Air Resources Board website.

All outdoor burning must be conducted in such a way as to prevent the smoke from creating a smoke nuisance. Burning wet materials or burning in large quantities produces smoke that lingers and can offend people in addition to significantly affecting air quality.

Know the Alternatives

  • Composting, mulching, chipping, natural decomposition, etc. are recommended alternatives to burning. Visit CalRecycle's composting and mulching page for more info.
  • Curbside Pickup
  • Many municipal landfills and Greenwaste centers accept yard trimmings from residents and process them into compost and mulch. Contact your local solid waste department to learn about local yard trimming recycling options.
  • There are currently 23 operating solid fuel biomass power plants located in 17 counties throughout the State of California. View this CA State Biomass Facility Map.

 

 

Determine if you are in SRA

SRA map thumbnail

CAL FIRE Burn Permits are only valid within the State Responsibility Area (SRA), or where CAL FIRE has jurisdictional authority.

SRA VIEWER

This data viewer is provided as a service to assist landowners in determining if their property may fall within State Responsibility Area (SRA). SRA boundaries are the official boundaries recognized by the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection to define the areas where CAL FIRE has financial responsibility for fire suppression and prevention.

For information and permits required outside the SRA / CAL FIRE jurisdiction, contact your local City/County fire authority. If the status in your county is marked as "Burning Allowed", you still must confirm that it is a permissive burn day with your local air quality management agency. The contact phone numbers will appear on your permit.

Know the Requirements

burning debris

For burning debris in small 4-feet x 4-feet piles:

  • Maximum pile size 4 foot in diameter.
  • Clear all flammable material and vegetation within 10-feet of the outer
    edge of pile and down to the bare earth. 
  • Keep a water supply close to the burning site.
  • An adult should be in attendance with a shovel until the fire is out.
  • No burning shall be undertaken unless weather conditions (particularly
    wind) are such that burning can be considered safe.

No household trash or garbage can be burned outdoors at residences. In order to reduce the amount of smoke when burning, you should burn between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. when smoke dispersion conditions are best.