Humboldt County, CA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Humboldt County, CA, also called the burn ban, open burning, or fire restriction ordinance, set when you can burn yard waste, debris, or run a recreational fire.
Key Facts
- NCUAQMD permit fee
- $20 (annual)
- CAL FIRE permit fee
- Free (online)
- Burn hours
- 6:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
- Max pile size
- 4-foot diameter, one at a time
- Burn-day hotline
- 1-866-BURNDAY (1-866-287-6329)
Summary
Open burning of natural vegetation requires a North Coast Unified AQMD permit year-round plus a CAL FIRE permit during fire season (May 1 through end of season). Burning trash, painted wood, plastic, or construction debris is banned statewide.
It is mandatory to obtain a valid burn permit for all open outdoor burning for the purpose of disposing dried, natural vegetation grown on site. Burn barrels were banned in California in 2002 and all residential waste burning was banned for the entire state in 2004. A standard burn permit authorizes an individual to burn a maximum of (1) 4-foot diameter burn pile at a time of approved materials. Burn hours are 6:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon on permissive burn days only.
Full Breakdown
NCUAQMD regulates all outdoor burning in Humboldt County under California Health and Safety Code Division 26 (air pollution control) authority. A $20 NCUAQMD Standard Burn Permit allows one 4-foot diameter pile at a time of approved dry natural vegetation grown on the property, burned only between 6:00 a.m. and noon on a permissive burn day. Burn-day status is announced daily at 1-866-BURNDAY (1-866-287-6329). Residential trash burning was banned statewide in 2004, and the district prohibits burning garbage, plastic, rubber, painted or treated wood, dimensional lumber, plywood, saltwater driftwood, cardboard, and paper. From approximately May 1 through the end of declared fire season, properties in CAL FIRE's State Responsibility Area (most of unincorporated Humboldt County) also need a free CAL FIRE Residential Burn Permit obtained at burnpermit.fire.ca.gov, which requires watching a short safety video. Public Resources Code 4423 separately prohibits burning brush, slash, or flammable material in SRA without a CAL FIRE permit.
Violations & Fines
Burning without a permit, on a no-burn day, or of prohibited materials can result in NCUAQMD notices of violation and civil penalties up to $10,000 per day per violation under state air-quality law. Burning in SRA without a CAL FIRE permit during fire season violates PRC 4423 and is prosecuted as a misdemeanor with full liability for any escape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to legally burn a yard-waste pile?
Can I burn cardboard, painted wood, or old lumber?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Humboldt County
How Humboldt County compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Humboldt County to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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