San Bernardino County, CA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

Open outdoor burning is regulated by multiple agencies in San Bernardino County. The populated valley floor (Fontana, Ontario, San Bernardino, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, Chino) lies in the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) which largely prohibits residential backyard burning of leaves, prunings, and debris under Rule 444 year-round. The High Desert and Mojave regions (Barstow, Victorville, Apple Valley, Yucca Valley, Twentynine Palms) fall under the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District (MDAQMD) Rule 445, which allows limited agricultural burning on declared Permissive Burn Days with specific material and acreage limits and a Burn Authorization. All open burns also require a fire permit from the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District (in the county SRA) and/or CAL FIRE. Burning trash, painted or treated wood, plastics, tires, and household garbage is prohibited at all times statewide. Recreational fires in permanent fire pits or portable devices under 3 feet diameter using clean dry wood are generally allowed with clearance requirements (see fire-pit-rules). Red Flag warnings issued by the National Weather Service automatically suspend all burning. Agricultural field burns for orchard clean-up or rangeland management require MDAQMD or SCAQMD authorization and CAL FIRE approval. Violations carry significant fines and can escalate to criminal prosecution if a wildfire results.