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

There are two distinct kinds of 'backyard fire' in unincorporated Modoc County, and each has its own rules. A recreational fire — a small fire for warmth, cooking, or pleasure — is governed by California Fire Code Section 307, adopted countywide through Modoc County Code Chapter 15.01 (2022 California Fire Code). It must keep a fuel area under 3 feet wide and 2 feet high, sit at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material, be constantly attended, and have water and a shovel ready. Burning yard debris or other vegetation (a debris/hazard-reduction burn) is regulated by CAL FIRE and the Modoc County Air Pollution Control District: effective May 1, 2026 it requires a free CAL FIRE burn permit (burnpermit.fire.ca.gov), may only occur on a permissive burn day confirmed with the APCD, and is limited to natural vegetative material such as leaves, pine needles, and tree trimmings. The county's burn guidance says to keep piles small (a four-foot-diameter pile in the residential guidance), maintain a 10-foot clearance to bare mineral soil, never burn on windy days, and keep an adult with a shovel and water hose present. Burning of plastic, garbage, or household material is prohibited — those must go to the dump. Because Modoc has high wildfire risk, CAL FIRE may suspend all burning during dry, dangerous conditions, so check current restrictions before any backyard fire.