El Dorado County, CA Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in El Dorado County, CA, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Campfire permit on own property
- Not required (cooking/warming)
- Open recreational fire setback
- 25 ft (CA Fire Code 307.4.2)
- Portable fireplace/chiminea setback
- 15 ft (CA Fire Code 307.4.3)
- AQMD burn day
- Required for solid fuel
- Propane / gas fire pits
- Exempt from burn-day rule
- Adult attendant
- Required until out
- Defensible space
- 100 ft (EDCC Ch. 8.09)
Summary
Recreational fire pits for cooking and warming on your own property in unincorporated El Dorado County generally do not require a CAL FIRE campfire permit, but they must comply with California Fire Code Section 307 setbacks (25 ft from structures and combustibles for open recreational fires, or 15 ft for portable outdoor fireplaces), the El Dorado County AQMD burn-day rules if burning solid fuels, and El Dorado County Chapter 8.09 defensible-space requirements. Propane and natural-gas fire pits are exempt from the AQMD burn-day rule.
Campfire Permits for the purposes of cooking and warming are not required on your own property. In Placerville specifically, open campfires are not permitted during fire season. Fires during this time are only allowed in a fireplace, permanent barbecue, portable barbecue, outdoor fireplace, incinerator or grill.
Full Breakdown
El Dorado County is overwhelmingly within Cal Fire's State Responsibility Area, and most parcels are in High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. The El Dorado County Fire Protection District confirms that 'Campfire Permits for the purposes of cooking and warming are not required on your own property,' but recreational fires remain subject to several layers of regulation. 08, governs recreational fires statewide. 3. A means of extinguishment (shovel, water, garden hose) must be on hand at all times, and an able-bodied adult must remain in attendance until the fire is fully extinguished.
Solid-fuel fires of any kind are subject to the El Dorado County Air Quality Management District's burn-day rules - they may only be lit on a permissible burn day. Propane and natural-gas fire pits are not 'open burning' under the AQMD program and may be used on any day, subject to the same 15-foot/25-foot setbacks. During CAL FIRE's declared fire season, even recreational wood fires may be banned by CAL FIRE order; check current restrictions at the Amador-El Dorado Unit. 09 (Hazardous Vegetation and Defensible Space, Ordinance 5186) to maintain 100 feet of defensible space around all structures, which dovetails with safe placement of fire pits.
Violations & Fines
Operating a recreational fire on a no-burn day, failing to maintain required clearances, or leaving a fire unattended can be cited by the local fire district or AQMD. If a recreational fire escapes, the responsible party is liable for fire-suppression and investigation costs under California Health & Safety Code Section 13009 and may be charged with negligent ignition under California Public Resources Code Sections 4421-4423.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to use a fire pit on my own property?
Can I use my propane fire pit during fire season?
How far must my fire pit be from my house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in El Dorado County
How El Dorado County compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare El Dorado County to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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