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

Outdoor burning in unincorporated Mariposa County is regulated jointly by the Mariposa County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) for air quality and by CAL FIRE for wildfire safety. Residential landscape-debris burning requires an APCD burn permit (a $25 application fee applies), and burning may occur only on days the APCD declares to be permissive burn days. Before burning, residents must call the burn-day line at 209-966-1200 or 1-888-440-2876 (1-888-440-BURN) to confirm the day is open. Only clean, dry vegetative waste such as leaves, pine needles, and yard clippings may be burned; burning trash, painted or treated wood, plastics, and other debris is prohibited. During the declared fire season, CAL FIRE routinely suspends residential landscape-debris burn permits across the county; when permits are suspended, outdoor debris burning is not allowed even on a permissive burn day. The APCD also requires that piles be sized so they can be fully consumed the same day, that an adult attend the fire with adequate tools and water, and that there be bare-ground clearance around the burn so it cannot escape. For piles with large logs or stumps, residents must call the Air District (209-966-2220) in advance to confirm upcoming burn days. Because the county is steep, forested, and has burned repeatedly, even permitted burning is restricted to safe conditions.