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

In unincorporated Kern County, a backyard fire falls into two distinct regulatory tracks. (1) Recreational fires—seasoned wood for cooking, warmth, or social purposes in a fire pit or portable outdoor fireplace—are allowed without a burn permit under California Fire Code § 307.4.2 (adopted by Kern County Code Ch. 17.32), subject to a 3-foot fuel area, 2-foot height, 25-foot structure setback, constant adult attendance, and on-site extinguishment means. (2) Burning of yard debris, weeds, or vegetation is 'open burning' that requires a Kern County Fire Department / APCD burn permit, may only occur during the announced burn season on permissive days, and is suspended during Red Flag warnings. Burning of trash, garbage, plastics, treated wood, or construction debris is prohibited statewide under California Health & Safety Code § 41700 (public nuisance smoke) and under EKAPCD/SJVAPCD rules; no permit can authorize it. Kern County's Wildland-Urban Interface areas (Lake Isabella, Kern River Valley, Frazier Park, Tehachapi) are subject to heightened restrictions and seasonal bans imposed by the Fire Chief under CFC § 307.1.1. Properties in State Responsibility Areas must also maintain 100 feet of defensible space under PRC § 4291 and Kern County Code Chapter 8.46 (Weeds and Other Hazardous Growths).