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

Thousand Oaks is located in Ventura County and falls under the air quality jurisdiction of the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (VCAPCD). The VCAPCD — not the South Coast AQMD, which governs Los Angeles County — is the agency responsible for issuing seasonal No-Burn advisories and mandatory curtailment orders for Ventura County communities, including Thousand Oaks. When the VCAPCD forecasts that fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations will reach unhealthy levels, typically during temperature inversions and stagnant air events in the fall and winter months, residents are prohibited from operating wood-burning fireplaces, traditional wood stoves, or other solid-fuel-burning devices. VCAPCD posts No-Burn day advisories on its website at vcapcd.org and issues alerts through local media and the Spare the Air notification system.

Appliances that produce significantly lower particulate emissions are exempt from mandatory No-Burn day restrictions. These include natural gas and propane fireplaces and heaters, as well as EPA-certified pellet stoves that meet VCAPCD emission standards. Residents who depend on a wood-burning device as their sole source of heat may qualify for a hardship exemption — contact VCAPCD at (805) 645-1400 to verify current eligibility criteria before assuming exemption status. The Conejo Valley area, where Thousand Oaks is situated, can experience extended periods of poor air quality due to its valley geography, making VCAPCD No-Burn day compliance especially important.

Separately from air quality burn rules, the Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) — which provides fire protection to Thousand Oaks — regulates outdoor and open burning. Open burning of yard waste, tree trimmings, green waste, and debris within city limits is generally prohibited by both VCAPCD rule and VCFD policy. Residents are encouraged to use the city's green waste recycling and curbside organics collection programs for vegetation disposal. During Red Flag Warning conditions — issued by the National Weather Service when fire weather is extreme — all outdoor burning, including recreational fire pits, may be restricted or prohibited by VCFD regardless of VCAPCD burn day status.