Outdoor burning rules in Amador 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.
Outdoor burning in unincorporated Amador County requires two approvals: a free CAL FIRE residential burn permit (valid from May 1) and a permissive 'burn day' from the Amador County Air District. Only dry vegetation grown on the property may be burned — no trash, and burn barrels are illegal. Large piles need a paid Air District permit.
Amador County's air rules are administered by the Amador County Air Pollution Control District (APCD), whose burn-or-no-burn day requirement is set in Air District Rule 303 and enforced together with the California Air Resources Board. Residents must call the District burn-day line at (209) 223-6246 to confirm a permissive day before any open fire. From May 1 each year, CAL FIRE's Amador-El Dorado Unit also requires a residential burn permit, obtained free at burnpermit.fire.ca.gov after watching a short educational video; CAL FIRE suspends these permits entirely during peak fire season. Only dry, natural vegetation derived from the property of origin may be burned — household garbage, trash, rubbish, and other materials are prohibited. Burn barrels are illegal in Amador County. Burn piles must have a minimum 10-foot clearance down to bare mineral soil in every direction, be no larger than 4 feet in diameter, have a shovel and water source available, and an adult present at all times. Any fire larger than 4 feet by 4 feet requires an Amador Air District Large Pile Burn Permit, which costs $30 per year or $50 for two years, obtained from the Air District office at 810 Court Street in Jackson, (209) 257-0112.
Burning on a no-burn day or during a CAL FIRE suspension, burning prohibited materials, using a burn barrel, or burning a large pile without an Air District permit violates Amador County Air District rules and CAL FIRE regulations and can result in citation, fines, and liability for suppression costs if a fire escapes.
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