Sahuarita Fire Regulations: Backyard Fires Rules (2026)

Recreational fires in Sahuarita are permitted in manufactured fire pits, chimineas, and permanently installed outdoor fireplaces that contain the fire within an approved enclosure. The fire must be attended at all times by a competent person and a means of extinguishment (garden hose or fire extinguisher) must be readily available. Fires should not exceed three feet in diameter and fuel must be clean, dry wood or manufactured fire logs. Burning of trash, yard waste, construction debris, treated lumber, or any material that produces excessive smoke or toxic fumes is prohibited. The Pima County Department of Environmental Quality regulates air quality in the Sahuarita area and may issue no-burn advisories during high-pollution or stagnant-air events, typically during winter temperature inversions. Arizona State Forestry issues seasonal burn bans during extreme fire weather conditions, usually in the pre-monsoon dry season from May through mid-July, and these bans may prohibit all outdoor burning including recreational fires. Backyard fires must be positioned a safe distance from structures, fences, and combustible materials, with a minimum clearance of 25 feet recommended. HOA communities in Sahuarita may have additional restrictions on outdoor fire features, including requirements for architectural approval of permanent fire pits.