Fire pit rules in Lassen County, CA — also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances — cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Backyard fire pits and open burn piles in unincorporated Lassen County require a free CAL FIRE burn permit (obtained at burnpermit.fire.ca.gov) and may only be used on permissive burn days set by the Lassen County Air Pollution Control District. CAL FIRE rules require a 10-foot clearance to bare mineral soil around any burn pile, a shovel and water source on hand, and an adult present at all times.
Most of Lassen County is State Responsibility Area governed by CAL FIRE's Lassen-Modoc Unit. As of 8:00 a.m. May 1 each year, all hazard-reduction (dooryard) burning in Lassen, Modoc, and Plumas counties requires a permit, obtained free online at burnpermit.fire.ca.gov after watching a short educational video. Permits run May 1 through April 30 and must be printed, signed, and on hand (or available electronically) while burning. Burning may only occur on permissive burn days and within permissive burn hours as determined by the Lassen County Air Pollution Control District; residents must check status first by calling the burn-day line at (530) 257-2876 (257-BURN). CAL FIRE rules require maintaining a minimum 10-foot clearance down to bare mineral soil around all burn piles, keeping a shovel and water source available, and having an adult present during burning. In October 2024 the county adopted Chapter 9.17 of the Lassen County Code addressing burn permits and suspension protocols in unincorporated areas under local responsibility. CAL FIRE routinely suspends all residential burning during dry/high-fire-danger periods (a suspension took effect June 17, 2026). Possessing a permit does not protect you if your fire escapes — you may be held criminally and/or civilly liable.
Burning without a permit, on a non-permissive burn day, during a CAL FIRE burn suspension, or without the required 10-foot clearance can result in citation by CAL FIRE or the Lassen County APCD. CAL FIRE warns that possession of a permit does not protect you if your burn escapes — you may be held criminally and/or civilly liable, including for fire-suppression and property-damage costs.
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