Anza is an unincorporated community in Riverside County governed by Riverside County Ordinance 787 (Fire Code) and the California Fire Code §307. Backyard recreational fires are allowed only when not contained in a barbecue pit at 25 ft from structures (15 ft for an approved barbecue pit), with a fuel area of 3 ft × 2 ft maximum, attended at all times, and only with clean firewood or charcoal. Cal Fire suspends residential outdoor burning during peak fire-season periods in the SRA.
Anza is in the unincorporated portion of Riverside County's State Responsibility Area (SRA), which means CAL FIRE has wildfire-protection jurisdiction. Riverside County Ordinance 787 adopts and amends the California Fire Code; Chapter 8.32 of the Riverside County Code governs fire prevention. Under California Fire Code §307.4.2, recreational fires may not be conducted within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material unless contained in an approved barbecue pit (in which case 15 ft minimum); the total fuel area is limited to 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height; the fire must be constantly attended by a competent adult until extinguished; and a portable fire extinguisher with a 4-A rating, a charged garden hose, dirt, sand, or other approved on-site suppression equipment must be available. Only clean, dry wood or commercial charcoal may be used; burning leaves, trash, treated lumber, or construction debris is prohibited. CAL FIRE issues a separate burn permit for any agricultural or brush-clearance burning during fire season. Anza is rated in a High to Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone; during declared Red Flag warnings or fire-restriction periods CAL FIRE/Riverside County may impose a total ban on residential outdoor burning including backyard recreational fires. Always verify current burn status with CAL FIRE (Riverside Unit) and Riverside County Fire before lighting any backyard fire.
Operating a recreational fire outside the size, setback, or fuel limits, or during a Cal Fire / Riverside County suspension is a violation of California Fire Code §307 and Riverside County Ordinance 787. Penalties include criminal citation under Cal. Health & Safety Code §41700 (air pollution nuisance) and Public Resources Code §4421-4427 (fire-season violations), civil fines, full cost recovery for fire-department suppression, and civil liability for damages if the fire escapes. In SRA fires that escape, the responsible party can be billed for full CAL FIRE suppression costs (often tens of thousands of dollars).
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