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

Two agencies regulate outdoor burning in the unincorporated county. The Calaveras County APCD Open Burning Regulations require that all burning take place on a permissive burn day; residents must call the county Burn Line at (209) 754-6600 (Copperopolis residents (209) 785-7664) to confirm. Only natural vegetation, wood, paper, natural cloth, cardboard, tree trimmings, leaves, dry pine needles, and plants may be burned. Garbage, plastics, rubber, tires, tar paper, asphalt shingles, treated lumber, plywood, pallets, painted material, and construction/demolition debris are illegal to burn (APCD Rule 308.1 and the District's burning fact sheet). Material must be dry and reasonably free of dirt (material under 6 inches dried 3-6 weeks; over 6 inches dried 6+ weeks; stumps over 12 inches split and dried at least 6 weeks). Only the amount that can completely burn within 24 hours may be ignited, and only approved ignition devices may be used. For a single- or two-family residence on less than 5 acres you do not need an APCD permit, but you may still need a fire-agency permit; an APCD permit (about $12, valid one year) is required for parcels of 5 acres or more or commercial operations. Separately, CAL FIRE TCU requires a burn permit for residential debris burning and frequently suspends all such burning during fire season - for example, suspending all residential outdoor burning countywide at all elevations. Violations are misdemeanors.