San Bernardino County, CA Fire Regulations: Backyard Fires (2026)

Backyard fires in unincorporated San Bernardino County fall under the County Fire District Code and the County Fire Outdoor Fire Requirements Guide. A recreational fire (the typical backyard campfire or fire ring) must have a fuel area no larger than 3 feet wide by 2 feet high and be located at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material; this drops to 15 feet for a permanent fire ring fueled solely by propane or natural gas. Only clean, dry wood or charcoal may be burned; trash, plastics, treated wood, and rubbish are strictly prohibited. A permit is required for recreational fires except a permanent propane/natural-gas fire ring. Every fire must be attended at all times by a responsible adult 18 or older until fully extinguished, with a 4-A fire extinguisher and water supply (hose, barrel, or truck) immediately available. Ashes and embers must be cooled with water and placed only in a covered metal or other non-combustible container, never on the ground, on a combustible surface, or in the trash. All fires (except propane/natural-gas recreational fires and BBQs) must be extinguished when local winds exceed 10 mph, during Red Flag Warnings or Fire Weather Watches, or when directed by fire personnel. Bonfires and BBQ pits are prohibited in Wildfire Risk Areas, which include Fire Safety Overlay zones, Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, High Fire Hazard Areas, No Fireworks Safety Zones, or any land so designated by the Fire Code Official. Given the county's mountain and foothill wildfire exposure, much of the unincorporated area falls within these restricted zones.