Irvine Backyard Fire Regulations Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

Irvine is served by the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), which provides fire prevention and suppression services to the city under contract. OCFA enforces a comprehensive prohibition on open burning in all urbanized areas of Orange County, including Irvine. This means residents may not burn trash, yard waste, leaves, wood scraps, construction debris, or any other combustible materials in their backyards, driveways, or on any residential property. Burn barrels, burn piles, and backyard incinerators are all prohibited.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) provides an independent regulatory layer through Rule 444, which prohibits open burning of combustible refuse in the South Coast Air Basin — which includes all of Orange County — except under narrowly defined exemptions for agricultural burning, prescribed fire management on wildlands, and firefighter training. None of these exemptions apply to residential properties. Even on no-burn days declared by SCAQMD for wood-burning fireplaces, the prohibition extends to any outdoor open flame that produces visible smoke.

Irvine residents must dispose of yard waste and green debris through the city's curbside green waste collection program operated by Waste Management. The city also promotes its composting programs and accepts green waste at designated drop-off events. These alternatives are designed to eliminate any perceived need for backyard burning. Recreational fires in approved manufactured fire pits or permanent outdoor fireplaces are governed separately under the fire-pits subcategory and may be permitted subject to specific conditions including fuel type, clearance distances, and SCAQMD burn-day restrictions.

Given Irvine's proximity to wildland-urban interface areas near the eastern foothills and Bommer Canyon, OCFA is particularly vigilant about open burning that could spark wildfires. During Red Flag Warning conditions declared by the National Weather Service, all outdoor flame activity — including recreational fire pits — is prohibited.