Recent drops in temperature and higher humidity have led Cal Fire to lift burn permit suspensions for agricultural and residential burning in seven Northern California counties. Cal Fire Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit Chief Matt Ryan announced the update, which covers Sonoma, Napa, Marin, Lake, Solano, Colusa, and Yolo counties. Residents holding valid permits can burn on approved burn days, but must follow all safety rules.
Cal Fire officials made clear that property owners and residents must keep their fires under control at all times. If a fire escapes or damages another property, the responsible party could face civil or criminal charges. Agricultural burns need a Cal Fire inspection before ignition, and other burns may also require inspection. Residents should check with their local air district for specific rules.
Federal law sets up a separate fire-permit system for public lands, requiring written approval from an authorized officer for any fire or burning of vegetation. Under 43 CFR Part 9210, burning on public lands without authorization is banned, and fire-prevention orders can limit activities or revoke permits if conditions change. These federal rules differ from California state and county air-district regulations that apply to private agricultural and residential burning. Federal law also bars leaving a fire unattended or letting it get out of control, and permits must list the land, authorized people, allowed activities, safety steps, and expiration date.
Open burning also falls under federal air-quality law through Clean Air Act requirements. As stated in 40 CFR § 52.273, some exemptions for open agricultural burning were rejected because they did not meet Clean Air Act section 110 standards. This means agricultural burning can face overlapping state, local, and federal air-quality controls.
Permit and Notification Procedures
Lake County residents must get a permit from the Lake County Air Quality Management District website and also obtain a Cal Fire burn permit online. In Marin County, permits are available through the Marin County Vegetation Management website. Before burning, residents need to confirm that their local air district has declared a burn day. Burn-day status can be checked by calling the relevant air district:
- Bay Area Air District (southern Sonoma and Napa counties): 1-877-466-2876
- Northern Sonoma County Air Pollution Control District: 707-565-2876
- Lake County Air Quality Management District: 707-263-7000
- Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District: 530-757-3660
- Colusa County Air Pollution Control District: 530-458-0581
Before burning in Colusa, Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma, or Yolo counties, residents must notify Cal Fire at 707-963-4112 and contact their local county dispatch center. Marin County residents should call the Marin County Emergency Command Center at 415-472-0911 before starting any burn.
Safety Requirements for Pile Burning
Cal Fire listed several rules for safe pile burning. Only dry, natural vegetation like leaves, pine needles, and tree trimmings can be burned. Burning trash, painted wood, or other debris is not allowed. Residents should avoid burning on windy days and must keep burn piles no larger than four feet in diameter and four feet high, adding more material only as the pile burns down.
Federal fire-management rules recognize that drought and fuel buildup can increase wildfire risk and lead to restrictions or management actions. Under 43 CFR § 4190.1, wildfire management may include fuel reduction or fuel treatment such as prescribed burns and mechanical, chemical, or biological thinning. These steps aim to lower wildfire risk and protect natural resources.
