Mono County, CA Fire Regulations: Fire Pit Rules (2026)

Because of extreme wildfire conditions, the Mono County Board of Supervisors has repeatedly adopted urgency ordinances banning open fires in the unincorporated area. On August 17, 2021, the Board unanimously adopted urgency Ordinance 21-08 prohibiting open fires on private property and county-operated campgrounds 'to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens and natural environment from further harm and risk due to extreme wildfire and fire hazard conditions.' Under these orders, 'open fires include campfires, bonfires, fire pits, or any other open flame fire,' but the restrictions 'do not apply to propane or charcoal barbecues used for cooking.' When such an urgency ban is not in effect, an open backyard fire still requires defensible space and a valid campfire permit, and most of the county is federal forest land. On the Inyo National Forest, fire orders state 'NO CAMPFIRES, briquette barbeques, or stove fires are allowed outside of designated developed recreation sites' except where specifically posted, even with a permit; only gas, jellied-petroleum, or pressurized-liquid-fuel stoves with a valid California Campfire Permit are allowed. Because conditions change frequently, residents should confirm current restrictions with the Mono County Sheriff, CAL FIRE, and the relevant National Forest before lighting any fire pit.