Fire Regulations in Humboldt County, CA (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Humboldt County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Small backyard recreational fires (warming, cooking, ceremony) do not need an air-district or CAL FIRE permit, but state law requires 100 feet of defensible space around every structure and prohibits unattended fires that create a hazard.
Small recreational fires allowed; 100-ft defensible space required
Some RestrictionsCal. Public Resources Code Sec. 4291(a)
A person who owns, leases, controls, operates, or maintains a building or structure in, upon, or adjoining a mountainous area, forest-covered lands, brush-covered lands, grass-covered lands, or land that is covered with flammable material, shall at all times do all of the following: (1) Maintain defensible space of 100 feet from each side and from the front and rear of the structure, but not be...
Fireworks
Unincorporated Humboldt County is a Safe and Sane county - only State Fire Marshal-approved sparklers, fountains and ground-based novelties are legal. All aerial and exploding fireworks are state-classified dangerous fireworks and are illegal to possess or discharge.
Safe and Sane allowed; aerial fireworks illegal
Heavy RestrictionsCal. Health & Safety Code Sec. 12677
It is unlawful for any person to possess dangerous fireworks without holding a valid permit.
Outdoor Burning
Open burning of natural vegetation requires a North Coast Unified AQMD permit year-round plus a CAL FIRE permit during fire season (May 1 through end of season). Burning trash, painted wood, plastic, or construction debris is banned statewide.
Two permits required: NCUAQMD year-round, CAL FIRE in season
Significant RestrictionsNCUAQMD Burn Program; PRC 4423
It is mandatory to obtain a valid burn permit for all open outdoor burning for the purpose of disposing dried, natural vegetation grown on site. Burn barrels were banned in California in 2002 and all residential waste burning was banned for the entire state in 2004. A standard burn permit authorizes an individual to burn a maximum of (1) 4-foot diameter burn pile at a time of approved materials...
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