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

Colusa County does not have a separate backyard fire-pit ordinance; recreational and residential outdoor fires fall under two overlapping systems. First, the Colusa County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) regulates what and when you can burn — District Rule 300 governs residential waste burning and burning is only allowed on declared permissive 'burn days.' Residents must verify the burn-day status before lighting any open fire (APCD: 530-458-0581). Second, because the unincorporated county is largely State Responsibility Area, CAL FIRE's Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit (LNU) requires a residential burn permit; as of recent years these are obtained free online at burnpermit.fire.ca.gov, are valid from May 1, and must be renewed annually. During elevated fire conditions CAL FIRE suspends residential burn permits countywide, which prohibits burning landscape debris such as brush, branches and leaves in SRA. Small, contained recreational fires should be kept clear of vegetation, attended by an adult, and have water or a shovel on hand. The County Code's smoking/fire provisions (Sec. 7-8) also restrict open flame and burning substances in grass, brush and stubble between May 1 and November 1. Propane and natural-gas patio fire features are generally less restricted than wood fires but can still be banned during red-flag conditions.