Backyard ('dooryard') burning at a single- or two-family residence in unincorporated Butte County is permitted only with a CAL FIRE burn permit, on a Permissive Burn Day, during posted burn hours, and only of natural vegetation grown on the property. Pile size and clearance restrictions apply, and burning is suspended entirely during peak wildfire season under PRC Section 4423.
Per the BCAQMD's residential burning rule, on parcels of one acre or less the burn pile may not exceed 4 feet in diameter, and the pile must be at least 25 feet from any neighboring occupied dwelling. The 10-foot perimeter around any pile must be cleared of all vegetation and flammable material down to mineral soil, a responsible adult must remain in attendance until the fire is dead out, and sufficient water must be on-hand to extinguish the fire. Burning of poison oak is expressly prohibited. CAL FIRE Butte Unit limits burn hours in most county areas to 6:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. during May through October when permits are required; Paradise extends to dusk. The Butte County Sheriff and CAL FIRE may declare an immediate suspension of all burn permits when fire-weather conditions warrant - the most recent suspension cited on bereadybutte.com began June 16, 2025. State law (Public Resources Code Section 4423) makes it a misdemeanor to burn anything in a State Responsibility Area during a declared closed season without lawful authority.
Burning without a permit, on a no-burn day, of prohibited materials, or during a fire-season suspension is a misdemeanor under PRC Section 4423 and BCAQMD rules. If the fire escapes control, the responsible party is civilly liable for fire-suppression and rescue costs under H&S Code Section 13009, and may face felony reckless-arson charges under Penal Code Section 452.
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