Del Norte County, CA Fire Regulations: Backyard Fires (2026)

Del Norte County residents need to distinguish recreational fires from disposal burning. Recreational fires — a backyard fire pit, chiminea, or small campfire for warmth, cooking, or ceremony — do not require an air-district burn permit; the North Coast Unified AQMD states 'District permits are not required for small recreational or ceremonial campfires.' They must still be kept small, attended by a responsible adult at all times, and have water or a shovel nearby. Burning a pile of leaves, brush, or yard trimmings for disposal is different: it requires an NCUAQMD burn permit ($20 standard permit, residence required), may use piles up to about 4 feet in diameter, and is allowed only between 6:00 a.m. and noon on declared permissive burn days. Prohibited materials include trash, painted or treated wood, and construction debris. Because most unincorporated land is in a CAL FIRE State Responsibility Area, disposal burning also needs a CAL FIRE Residential Burn Permit, and during fire season CAL FIRE can suspend all outdoor burning. Always check that it is a permissive burn day (1-866-287-6329) and that no fire-season suspension or red-flag warning is in effect before lighting any backyard fire.