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

In the State Responsibility Area that covers most of Lassen County, outdoor recreational and backyard burning is governed by CAL FIRE's Lassen-Modoc Unit and the Lassen County Air Pollution Control District. A free CAL FIRE burn permit (from burnpermit.fire.ca.gov) is required for hazard-reduction and dooryard burning beginning May 1 each year, and burning may only occur on permissive burn days within permissive hours, which residents must verify by calling the Lassen County burn-day line at (530) 257-2876 (257-BURN). CAL FIRE's safety rules require maintaining a minimum 10-foot clearance down to bare mineral soil around the fire, keeping a shovel and water source on hand, and having an adult present at all times. Only natural vegetative material (leaves, pine needles, tree trimmings) may be burned; household garbage and unauthorized burn barrels are prohibited. During hot, dry periods CAL FIRE suspends all outdoor residential burning in the SRA of Lassen, Modoc, and Plumas counties (such a suspension took effect June 17, 2026), which restricts open recreational fires on private land. On Lassen National Forest land, campfires outside designated areas require a California Campfire Permit and may be restricted seasonally. Self-contained propane or gas fire features are generally treated more leniently than open wood fires, but red-flag and suspension conditions can still apply.