Fresno, CA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Fresno, 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
- Code Section
- FMC section 10-50307.1.1; SJVAPCD Rule 4103
- General rule
- No open burning without an operational permit
- Trash burning
- Always illegal in the City of Fresno
- Enforcement
- On-the-spot extinguishment + citation
Summary
Open burning is prohibited within the City of Fresno except with an operational permit issued under the Fresno Municipal Code and San Joaquin Valley Air District rules, or for limited cooking, campfire and religious-ceremonial fires using clean dry wood or charcoal. Burning trash is always illegal. Company officers may extinguish any non-compliant fire on the spot.
No open burning is permitted within the Department's response area with the following exceptions: 1. Open burning with an operational permit from the City of Fresno, in accordance with Fresno Municipal Codes (FMC) and the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD). 2. Open outdoor fires used solely for the purpose of cooking food for human consumption, campfires, and religious ceremonial fires, where the combustible material is clean, dry wood or charcoal, in accordance with SJVAPCD, RULE 4103, OPEN BURNING 4.1.1. In any case, such fires shall not be allowed if found to be offensive or objectionable because of smoke emissions or when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous. (FMC Section 10-50307.1.1, Prohibited Open Burning).
Full Breakdown
The Fresno Fire Department's SOP 202.006 (Outside Fires, rev. 4/19/2023) implements Fresno Municipal Code section 10-50307.1.1 (Prohibited Open Burning) and section 10-50105.6.32 (Open Burning), together with SJVAPCD Rule 4103 (Open Burning). No open burning is permitted in the department's response area except (1) open burning conducted under an operational permit issued under the FMC and the air district, or (2) fires used solely for cooking food, campfires, and religious ceremonial fires using clean, dry wood or charcoal. Even otherwise-allowed fires are prohibited if they become offensive or objectionable due to smoke, or when atmospheric or local conditions make them hazardous. Fruit stands, retail sales lots and Christmas tree lots may not burn for any reason and may not use wood stoves, portable fireplaces, chimineas, burn barrels or incinerators. The City confirms it is illegal to burn trash and that 'the only outdoor fires allowed are for cooking purposes.'
Violations & Fines
Fire company officers are authorized to order immediate extinguishment of non-compliant open burning, issue administrative citations under FMC section 10-50112.4 (Violation Penalties), and recover costs under FMC section 10-50112.5 (Cost Recovery). The air district may assess penalties up to $10,000 per violation per day under California Health & Safety Code section 42403.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I burn trash or yard waste in Fresno?
Do I need a permit for open burning in Fresno?
Can a fire officer make me put out a legal cooking fire?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fresno
How Fresno compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Fresno to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Outdoor Burning in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Fresno County handle outdoor burning.