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

Unincorporated Nevada County sits in CAL FIRE's State Responsibility Area, and recreational fires follow the California Fire Code (Section 307) plus CAL FIRE's seasonal rules. Under Fire Code 307, a recreational fire - a wood or charcoal fire used for cooking, warmth, or ceremony - is limited to a pile no greater than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height, and must be kept at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material. The fire must be constantly attended until completely extinguished, and approved fire-extinguishing equipment (a 4-A extinguisher, a charged garden hose, or a water/dirt bucket) must be immediately available. Open burning and recreational fires can be prohibited when conditions are hazardous, and a public official may order any fire put out. Because the area is a high fire-risk State Responsibility Area, CAL FIRE requires a (free) burn/campfire permit during much of the year; during periods of elevated danger CAL FIRE suspends burning entirely, although the suspension of debris-burn permits does not by itself ban campfires maintained safely on private property or in organized campgrounds. Always check the Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District (NSAQMD) burn-day line before any open or recreational fire, since smoke is independently regulated.