Baldwin Park, CA Fire Regulations: Backyard Fires (2026)

The City of Baldwin Park has no standalone backyard-fire ordinance; recreational fires are regulated through the California Fire Code adopted with Los Angeles County amendments (Municipal Code Chapter 150, Part 20), enforced by the LA County Fire Department. Under California Fire Code Chapter 3, a recreational fire is a small outdoor fire (the code defines it as not more than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet high) used for cooking, warmth or similar purposes and burning only firewood. A recreational fire must not be conducted within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material, conditions that could let it spread within that distance must be removed before ignition, and the fire must be constantly attended until completely extinguished, with a garden hose or fire extinguisher kept ready. A portable outdoor fireplace must generally stay 15 feet from a structure, though one- and two-family dwellings are excepted. Only clean, dry firewood may be burned - South Coast AQMD Rule 444 prohibits burning leaves, branches, trash and other waste. Because Baldwin Park is a flat, dense urban city outside any wildfire hazard zone, there are no seasonal red-flag burn bans tied to brush conditions, but residents must still avoid creating a smoke nuisance for neighbors. Keep gatherings small and put fires out completely before going inside.