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

Backyard fires fall into two categories in unincorporated Tehama County. (1) Recreational fires for warmth, cooking, or pleasure are governed by California Fire Code section 307.4.2: the fuel area must not exceed 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height, the fire must be at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material, and it must be constantly attended with a water source or extinguisher and shovel until fully out. Manufactured portable fire pits and chimineas are kept at least 15 feet from structures under section 307.4.3. (2) Open pile burning of vegetation is regulated by the Tehama County Air Pollution Control District and CAL FIRE: it is allowed only on permissive burn days, only for natural vegetation grown on the property, during legal burn hours (generally 10 a.m.–5 p.m. outside fire season), and — during declared fire season — only with a free CAL FIRE residential (dooryard) burn permit from burnpermit.fire.ca.gov. Burn barrels and incinerators are banned except in ZIP codes 96029, 96061, and 96076. Garbage, plastics, petroleum products, and construction debris may never be burned. Because much of the county is a State Responsibility Area in High/Very High fire-hazard terrain, backyard burning can be suspended during red-flag warnings or high fire danger. Always confirm the daily burn decision with the Air District (530-527-3717).