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

Open burning in Solano County is governed at three layers. (1) Fire-safety layer: Solano County Code Chapter 12.5 prohibits flammable hazards and adopts the California Fire Code through Chapter 6.3, which regulates open burning under CFC Section 307. Most outdoor burns in the State Responsibility Area require a CAL FIRE burn permit from burnpermit.fire.ca.gov, and CAL FIRE LNU suspends all burn permits during peak fire season. (2) Air-quality layer: The Yolo-Solano AQMD covers Vacaville, Dixon, Rio Vista, and the unincorporated areas in northeast Solano; the Bay Area AQMD covers Vallejo, Benicia, Fairfield, Suisun City, and the southwest unincorporated area. Both districts require permits for agricultural burns and prohibit all burning on declared no-burn days through their 'Spare the Air' / 'Don't Light Tonight' programs. (3) Material layer: Only dry vegetative material may be burned — tree prunings, leaves, weeds, crop stubble, ditch-bank vegetation. Trash, lumber, plywood, treated wood, plastic, pallets, furniture, and construction materials may never be burned. Recreational fires under 3 ft diameter / 2 ft tall in approved containers, with clean dry firewood, are allowed under CFC 307.4.2 when no-burn rules are not in effect. Rural backyard burning (yard waste piles) is generally illegal in YSAQMD residential areas and is restricted to specific permit categories.