Fullerton, CA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Fullerton, 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
- Air district
- South Coast AQMD. Rule 444 governs all open burning
- No-burn alerts
- Common Nov-Feb; check aqmd.gov or call 1-866-966-3293
- Wind cutoff
- 8 MPH sustained at ground level
- Red flag
- All recreational/open fires banned during red flag warnings
- Fuel modification area
- No wood or solid fuel fires allowed
Summary
Open burning of vegetation, yard waste, and trash is effectively prohibited in Fullerton under South Coast AQMD Rule 444 and Fullerton Municipal Code § 13.20.150. Only contained recreational fires meeting fuel, distance, supervision, and wind conditions are allowed, and SCAQMD no-burn alerts override even those.
Maintain defensible space of 100 feet from each side and from the front and rear of the structure, but not beyond the property line.
Full Breakdown
Fullerton lies entirely within the South Coast Air Quality Management District, where Rule 444 (Open Burning) bars open burning of vegetation, waste, construction debris, and similar materials throughout the South Coast Air Basin without an SCAQMD permit and an active 'burn day' authorization. 20) prohibits outdoor open and recreational fires when sustained winds exceed 8 MPH, when a red flag warning has been declared, when a public no-burn announcement is in effect, or when no adult attendant or water source is available. Recreational fires in the city's fuel modification area must not use wood or solid fuel. SCAQMD also routinely declares 'no-burn alerts' November through February for the entire South Coast Air Basin, banning all residential wood burning citywide. 150's exceptions.
Violations & Fines
SCAQMD can issue notices of violation and civil penalties for illegal open burning, which can exceed $1,000 per violation. Fullerton Fire Department can issue municipal-code citations under FMC Title 13. Escape of a fire can also trigger civil liability for suppression costs under California Health & Safety Code § 13009 and Public Resources Code § 4435.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I burn yard waste in Fullerton?
What is a 'no-burn alert' and how do I know one is in effect?
Can I burn a campfire on Fullerton's vacant lots or hillsides?
Sources & Official References
- [1]South Coast AQMD Rule 444 — Open Burning
- [2]South Coast AQMD Check Before You Burn
- [3]FMC § 13.20.150 — Open Burning, Recreational Fires, and Portable Outdoor Fireplaces
- [4]California Public Resources Code § 4291 (defensible space)
- [5]California Health & Safety Code § 13009 (fire suppression cost recovery)
Other rules in Fullerton
How Fullerton compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Fullerton to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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How other cities in Orange County handle outdoor burning.