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

A 'backyard fire' for warmth or cooking is treated as a recreational fire under California Fire Code Section 307.4.2, which OCFA enforces in unincorporated Orange County. The fuel area must not exceed 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height, and the fire must be at least 25 feet (7,620 mm) from any structure or combustible material. A manufactured portable outdoor fireplace falls under Section 307.4.3 - generally 15 feet from structures, though that setback does not apply at one- and two-family dwellings. Under Section 307.5, the fire must be constantly attended until fully extinguished and an approved means of extinguishment (such as a fire extinguisher, water supply, or dirt and shovel) must be immediately available. OCFA prohibits wood or other solid-fuel outdoor fires when predicted sustained winds exceed 8 mph and relative humidity is below 25 percent, or when a Red Flag condition has been declared or a no-burn sign is posted by the fire code official. In the canyon communities (Silverado, Modjeska, Trabuco) that lie in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, backyard fires are especially restricted during fire season. During the South Coast AQMD 'Check Before You Burn' season (Nov-Feb), outdoor wood burning is also banned on no-burn days.