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

The City of Garden Grove is located in northwestern Orange County and falls within the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), which issues mandatory no-burn alerts when fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels are forecast to exceed federal health standards. SCAQMD Rule 445 prohibits all wood-burning in residential and commercial fireplaces, wood stoves, fire pits, chimineas, and similar solid-fuel-burning devices on declared no-burn days. These curtailment orders are most frequent during the fall and winter months (November through March) when temperature inversions trap pollutants in the South Coast Air Basin.

As a densely populated urban community in Orange County, Garden Grove is subject to year-round prohibitions on open burning. Burning of trash, yard waste, leaves, construction debris, and any other materials outdoors is prohibited at all times under both SCAQMD regulations and the California Fire Code as adopted by the city. The Garden Grove Fire Department enforces open burning prohibitions within city limits. The city's flat terrain and proximity to the Santa Ana Freeway (I-5) and Garden Grove Freeway (SR-22) corridors means local air quality is already impacted by vehicular emissions, making residential wood smoke an additional concern during stagnant air conditions.

Residents may use gas or propane fireplaces and fire pits at any time, as these devices are exempt from SCAQMD no-burn day orders because they produce negligible particulate emissions. EPA Phase II certified wood-burning devices are also exempt when the device is the sole source of heat in the home. Low-income households meeting SCAQMD financial hardship criteria may apply for an exemption through the district.

To check whether today is a no-burn day, residents can visit AQMD.gov, call 1-800-CUT-SMOG (1-800-288-7664), or sign up for free Air Alert email or text notifications at the SCAQMD website. The Garden Grove Fire Department also shares no-burn day reminders through the city's social media channels during the winter season.