Sonora, CA Fire Regulations: Backyard Fires (2026)

Open backyard or 'dooryard' burning of natural vegetation in unincorporated Tuolumne County sits at the intersection of CAL FIRE fire rules and Tuolumne County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) air rules. APCD Rule 302 requires a valid burn permit, and Rule 303 bans burning on no-burn days. CAL FIRE's Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit issues free residential burn permits online, valid each year from May 1, and can suspend them when fire danger is high - which is common across this very-high-fire-hazard county. CAL FIRE permit terms limit each pile to 4 feet by 4 feet, require 10 feet of clearance to bare earth around the pile, and require a responsible adult present at all times with a water source and shovel. Only dry, natural vegetation (leaves, pine needles, tree trimmings) may be burned; trash, painted or treated wood, plastic, tires, tar paper, and construction or demolition debris are prohibited under APCD Rule 304. Burn barrels are not allowed, and you may not burn vegetation hauled in from another property. Backyard burning may occur only on permissive burn days announced by the Air Resources Board by 3:00 p.m. for the next day - check the APCD burn line at 209-533-5598 - and residents must report the burn to the Air District (209-533-5691) before lighting. Recreational cooking and warming fires are handled separately (see fire-pit rules) and are exempt from the APCD burn permit but not from CAL FIRE fire-season restrictions.