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

Backyard burning of yard and tree trimmings is permitted for single- and two-family residences in unincorporated Mendocino County, but only under strict conditions set by the Mendocino County Air Quality Management District (MCAQMD) and CAL FIRE. MCAQMD requires year-round burn permits from both Air Quality and the local fire agency, allows burning only on declared permissive burn days, and limits material to vegetative matter that grew on the property after minimum drying periods. Burn barrels are prohibited and milled lumber, paper, cardboard, garbage, and other manufactured materials cannot be burned. CAL FIRE issues separate burn permits required starting May 1 in Mendocino County, and during peak fire season CAL FIRE periodically suspends residential outdoor burning entirely until conditions improve - a residential burn permit suspension was, for example, lifted in October 2025. Because most unincorporated land is State Responsibility Area, CAL FIRE and county fire inspect open and residential burning. Residents should confirm a permissive burn day by calling 707-463-4391 and verify that no CAL FIRE suspension is in effect before lighting any pile. The county's wildfire history (2017 Redwood Complex, 2018 Mendocino Complex) drives strict enforcement.