Fullerton Burn Bans Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

Fullerton is a city of approximately 139,000 residents in northern Orange County, home to California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) and Fullerton College. The city falls within the South Coast Air Basin and is subject to air quality regulations administered by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). Under SCAQMD Rule 445, the district declares mandatory No-Burn days during the winter burning season — typically November through March — when meteorological forecasts predict that PM2.5 fine particulate matter concentrations will exceed the federal 24-hour health standard. On mandatory No-Burn days, Fullerton residents may not operate wood-burning fireplaces, traditional wood stoves, outdoor fire pits using solid fuel, or any other wood-burning appliance or device.

No-Burn advisories are issued daily by 4:30 PM for the following day and are distributed through the SCAQMD website at aqmd.gov, the South Coast AQMD mobile app, and local media outlets. Residents can also call 1-800-CUT-SMOG (1-800-288-7664) for recorded daily burn status information. EPA-certified pellet stoves meeting SCAQMD emission standards and natural gas or propane fireplace appliances produce significantly lower particulate emissions and are exempt from No-Burn day restrictions, making them viable alternatives for Fullerton homeowners who wish to use a fireplace throughout the winter season.

Separately from seasonal No-Burn day regulations, the City of Fullerton and the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), which provides fire protection services to Fullerton, prohibit all open burning of trash, yard waste, construction debris, and other materials within city limits year-round. Residents must use the city's curbside green waste collection service provided by Republic Services or transport materials to an approved Orange County disposal facility. During Red Flag Warning conditions declared by the National Weather Service — particularly during Santa Ana wind events common in northern Orange County — OCFA may impose additional restrictions that prohibit recreational campfires, fire pits, and charcoal barbecues in high-risk areas. Fullerton's urban-wildland interface areas near the northern hills are particularly susceptible to fire risk during these events.

Residents who rely on a wood-burning appliance as their sole source of heat may be eligible for a low-income exemption through SCAQMD. The district also administers a voluntary Check Before You Burn program that encourages residents to reduce burning on days when air quality is marginal but mandatory curtailment has not been declared.