Backyard recreational fires in Upland follow San Bernardino County Fire rules. Wood or charcoal fires need a permit and must be at least 25 feet from structures; a propane or natural-gas fire ring needs no permit and may be 15 feet away. Open burning of yard waste or trash is prohibited, and every fire must be attended by an adult.
There is no Upland-specific backyard-fire ordinance; Upland adopts the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District (SBCFPD) Fire Code in Municipal Code Chapter 8.28, and SBCFPD has been Upland's fire department since 2017. Under SBCFPD's outdoor fire safety rules, a backyard 'recreational fire' is for pleasure, warmth, or cooking, with a fuel area that 'shall not exceed 3' high x 2' wide.' A wood- or charcoal-burning recreational fire requires a permit; a permanent fire ring fueled solely by propane or natural gas does not. Distance rules: the fire 'must be a minimum of 25' away from a structure or other combustible materials,' reduced to 15 feet for a permanent gas-fueled ring. Only clean, dry wood or charcoal may be burned and 'trash shall not be burned in a recreational fire.' Every fire 'must be attended by a responsible adult, 18 years or older, at all times until extinguished.' Open burning of leaves, brush, or yard waste is separately prohibited because South Coast AQMD bans residential open burning in the San Bernardino Valley. Residents in the northern foothills should be especially cautious because that area is a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone; on red-flag or no-burn days even allowed fires may be restricted. Keep a hose or extinguisher and clearance around any backyard fire.
A backyard fire that is too large, too close to a structure, fueled with trash or yard waste, unpermitted (for wood/charcoal), or left unattended violates the SBCFPD Fire Code adopted by Upland (UMC Ch. 8.28). Open burning of waste also violates South Coast AQMD rules. SBCFPD and city code enforcement handle violations; illegal open fires may be ordered extinguished.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in San Bernardino County.
See how other cities in San Bernardino County handle backyard fires.
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