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

Research found no Imperial County ordinance written specifically for backyard fires, so two state/regional frameworks govern. First, the California Fire Code, adopted countywide and enforced by the Imperial County Fire Department, treats a small wood or charcoal fire for warmth, cooking or ambiance as a recreational fire. Under Section 307 it must be at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material, must be constantly attended until fully out, and must have a means of extinguishment nearby; clearance conditions that could spread the fire must be removed first. Second, the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District (ICAPCD) controls any backyard fire used to dispose of material. Burning dry weeds, prunings or other green waste is residential burning that requires prior ICAPCD authorization, is allowed only on a declared Burn Day, only for vegetation grown on that property, and only outside incorporated cities and townships. Burning household trash, plastics, painted or treated wood, or construction debris is prohibited entirely. Because Imperial County is desert and irrigated farmland with very low wildfire risk, there is no countywide seasonal backyard-fire ban tied to fire danger, but No-Burn Days declared by ICAPCD effectively suspend any waste-burning fire when weather would trap smoke.