Modoc County, CA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

Outdoor burning in unincorporated Modoc County is regulated jointly by CAL FIRE (Lassen-Modoc Unit), local fire districts, and the Modoc County Air Pollution Control District (APCD). Effective at 8:00 a.m. on May 1, 2026, all hazard-reduction burning in Lassen, Modoc, and Plumas counties requires a permit, obtained free of charge online at burnpermit.fire.ca.gov. Before burning, residents must confirm it is a permissive burn day by calling the Modoc County APCD / CAL FIRE burn-day line; the county directs residents to call (530) 233-3436 for burn-day status and (530) 251-4403 for the CAL FIRE Lassen-Modoc-Plumas burn and air pollution line. The APCD's adopted rules (Modoc County Air Pollution Control District Rules and Regulations) define 'Agricultural Burning,' 'Open Burning in Agricultural Operations,' 'no-burn day,' and 'permissive-burn day,' and limit burning to approved combustibles — paper, cardboard, wood, and dry vegetative matter. The county's residential burn guidance states only natural vegetative material such as leaves, pine needles, and tree trimmings may be burned; 'burning of plastic, garbage or household material is not allowed.' Safety conditions include a minimum 10-foot clearance down to bare mineral soil around all burn piles, a shovel and water source on hand, and an adult present at all times; no fire may be left unattended. Anyone who conducts a burn can be held criminally and civilly responsible for any escaped fire.