Burn Permits

Provided a burn permit is first obtained from the Control Officer, the following fires are allowed after contacting the appropriate fire district/department or State Forester:

• Residential fires- are used for the disposal of non-toxic vegetative or horticultural waste that are generated only from that property.
  • Small Scale - The quantity of material burned during the one-month permit is less than 10 cubic yards of non-compacted materials. (Fee is $2 for a 3-day permit and $5 for a one-month permit.) Permits may be renewed month-to-month.
  • Large Scale - The quantity of material burned during the one-month permit is less than 20 cubic yards of non-compacted materials. (Fee is $10 for a one-month permit.) Only two permits may be obtained per calendar year.
• Commercial Fires- are used for the disposal of non-toxic vegetative or horticultural waste that is generated from a business.
  • Small Scale - The quantity of material burned during the one-month permit is less than 10 cubic yards of non-compacted materials. (Fee is $5 for a 3-day permit, and $20 for a one-month permit.) Permits may be renewed month-to-month.
  • Large Scale - The quantity of material burned during the one-month permit is less than 20 cubic yards of non-compacted materials. (Fee is $35 for a one-month permit.) Only two permits may be obtained per calendar year.
  • Land Clearing - Used for one-time land clearing operations and require a site inspection by the Air Quality Division. (Fee is $250 for the application and $1 per acre.)
• Agricultural Fires - set for weed control or the disposal of non-toxic horticultural wastes. (Fee is $50 for less than 320 acres, $100 for more than 320 acres, and $200 for all non-contiguous acreage under one owner.) Permits are issued for one year.
• Bonfires - set by a political subdivision for a civic or community event. (Contact Air Quality.)
• Training Exercise Fires - set by companies for the instruction of fire fighting methods. (Contact Air Quality.)
• Building Demolition Fires - set for the disposal of abandoned buildings/materials and require a site inspection by the Air Quality Division. (Fee is $250. Contact Air Quality.)
• Destruction of Dangerous Material Fires - set when the materials are too dangerous to store or transport. (Fee is $250. Contact Air Quality.)
• Air Curtain Destructor - used for the disposal of non-toxic vegetative or horticultural waste and requires a Class II Air Quality permit. (Contact Air Quality.)

FIRES THAT ARE EXEMPT

• Recreational fires - are used for religious, ceremonial, cooking, or warmth. The total fuel area must be 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height. No permit or report is required.
• Public Officer fires - are used by a public officer in the performance of an official duty, and must be reported to the Control Officer. (Contact Air Quality for report format.)

Burning can only be conducted within the following hours with a valid permit:

• April 1 through September 30: 8 am to 4 pm
• October 1 through March 31: 9 am to 4:30 pm

VIOLATIONS

• Failure to comply with burn permit conditions: Civil penalties up to $10,000 per day
• Reckless burning: Class 1 or 2 Misdemeanor or Class 3 Felony

SUMMERTIME BURN RESTRICTIONS

• Area A 
• May 1st to September 30
• No Burn Permits are issued during this time

No burn restrictions during High Pollution Advisories (HPA) include:

• Monitoring or forecasting indicates that carbon monoxide or particulate matter is likely to be exceeded in Area A and a High Pollution Advisory is declared.
• Chimineas, fire pits, and similar outdoor fires even with a valid permit.
• During a no-burn period, residential wood-burning devices are not allowed to operate within Area A unless:
  • The wood-burning device is the sole source of heat or fuel for cooking
  • Performance standards for residential wood heaters have been met
  • Is a stove or fireplace that burns gaseous fuels
  • The stove/fireplace conforms to rules adopted by the Board of Supervisors
• An advisory issued by the National Weather Service
• Periods of visibility impairment that may impact a Class 1 Wilderness Area
• Periods of extreme fire danger or when smoke is blown into populated areas
• An air pollution emergency episode is declared