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

Trinity County is entirely within State Responsibility Area or federal land, so recreational fires fall under CAL FIRE and federal fire rules rather than a municipal fire-pit ordinance. The North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District (NCUAQMD), which regulates air quality in Trinity County, exempts 'small recreational or ceremonial campfires' from the burn-permit requirement that applies to debris piles. However, CAL FIRE generally requires a campfire permit for any open fire, campfire, or stove fire using wood, charcoal, or other open flame on SRA land outside of a developed recreation site, especially during declared fire season. Best practice mirrors statewide rules: keep a fire pit at least 10 feet clear of vegetation down to bare mineral soil, never leave a fire unattended, keep water and a shovel on hand, and drown the fire until cold before leaving. During heightened fire conditions, CAL FIRE and the Forest Service may impose temporary restrictions that suspend campfires even with a permit. Because Trinity County is forested high-wildfire-risk terrain, residents should check the current burn-day status (call 1-866-BURNDAY / 866-287-6329) and any active fire restrictions before lighting any outdoor fire, including a backyard fire pit. Gas and propane fire pits are generally lower risk but the same vegetation-clearance and supervision practices apply.