Mariposa County, CA Fire Regulations: Backyard Fires (2026)

In unincorporated Mariposa County there is no separate city code, so backyard fires fall under the Mariposa County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) burning rules and CAL FIRE wildland-fire rules. Two different activities are treated differently. Open burning of landscape debris (burn piles) is regulated as outdoor burning: it requires an APCD burn permit, may occur only on declared permissive burn days, allows only clean dry vegetative waste (no trash, treated wood, or plastics), and is frequently suspended by CAL FIRE during the declared fire season. Before any such burn, residents must call the burn-day line (209-966-1200 or 1-888-440-BURN) to confirm. Recreational backyard fires - small contained campfires in an approved pit - are handled under the campfire rules: even when burn permits are suspended, campfires on private property 'may be permitted if the campfire is maintained in such a manner as to prevent its spread to the wildland,' which generally means a contained pit, bare-ground clearance, an adult attending, water and tools on hand, and a California Campfire Permit. During Red Flag Warnings or heightened local restrictions, even contained fires can be prohibited. Because the county is steep, forested, and has repeatedly burned, residents should always confirm current restrictions with CAL FIRE or county fire before lighting any backyard fire and should never leave a fire unattended.