Outdoor Burning: Menifee vs Moreno Valley
How do outdoor burning rules compare between Menifee, CA and Moreno Valley, CA?
Menifee and Moreno Valley have similar restriction levels.
Menifee, CA
Riverside County
Menifee sits inside the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) basin, where SCAQMD Rule 444 generally prohibits open outdoor fires for waste, agricultural debris, landscape clearing, or land development — without an AQMD permit. SCAQMD's Check Before You Burn program adds No-Burn Day alerts (Nov 1 – Feb 28) banning wood burning indoors and out. Menifee Fire Code Chapter 8.20 also lets the fire chief ban any open flame during elevated fire weather. There is effectively no legal pathway for residential trash, leaf, or yard-waste burning in Menifee.
View full Menifee rules →Moreno Valley, CA
Riverside County
Outdoor burning is prohibited in Moreno Valley. The city is within the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), which enforces strict no-burn regulations. SCAQMD no-burn alerts restrict fireplace use.
View full Moreno Valley rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Menifee | Moreno Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Open burning permit | Required from SCAQMD + local fire authority (Rule 444) | - |
| No-Burn season | Nov 1 – Feb 28 (residential wood) | - |
| Leaf/trash burning | Prohibited — no residential permits issued | - |
| Recreational fires | Allowed if compliant with CFC §307.4.2 | - |
| Check status | 1-866-966-3293 / aqmd.gov/cbyb | - |
| Red Flag | All open flame suspended | - |
| Open Burning | - | Prohibited |
| Air District | - | SCAQMD |
| Rule | - | SCAQMD Rule 444 |
| No-Burn Days | - | SCAQMD alerts |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Menifee FAQ
Can I burn leaves or yard waste in my backyard?
No. Residential open burning of leaves, yard waste, or trash is prohibited throughout the South Coast Air Basin under SCAQMD Rule 444. Use the city's green waste collection instead.
How do I know if today is a No-Burn Day?
Check aqmd.gov/cbyb or call 1-866-966-3293 (1-866-9NOBURN). Alerts are issued daily Nov 1 – Feb 28 and apply to all wood, pellet, and manufactured-log burning indoors and outdoors.
Do BBQ grills or gas patio heaters count as open burning?
No. Cooking fires in approved appliances and gas-fueled patio heaters are exempt from Rule 444 and from No-Burn Day restrictions, though they still cannot be used during Red Flag warnings if the fire chief issues a suspension.
Moreno Valley FAQ
Can I burn yard waste in Moreno Valley?
No. All outdoor burning is prohibited under SCAQMD rules and city fire code.
Can I use my fireplace?
Only on days when SCAQMD has not issued a no-burn alert. Check SCAQMD.gov before burning.
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