Outdoor burning rules in Inyo 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.
Open burning of refuse in unincorporated Inyo County is generally prohibited under GBUAPCD Rule 406. Limited residential burning of dry natural vegetation is allowed only on a 'burn day' declared by the California Air Resources Board AND with a valid burn permit from the local fire agency. Burning trash, garbage, and industrial waste is never allowed.
Unincorporated Inyo County is in the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District. GBUAPCD Rule 406 (Open Outdoor Fires) states that a person shall not burn combustible refuse or waste in any open outdoor fire within the district, with limited exceptions. For a single- or two-family dwelling, residential burning of dry natural vegetation waste (reasonably free of dirt, soil, and surface moisture) is permitted only 'on burn days as declared by the State Air Resources Board and pursuant to a valid burn permit as authorized by' the district, ignited with an approved ignition device. The district's burning guidance directs residents to first obtain a burn permit from their local fire agency, then check that it is a permissive burn day before lighting any fire. Agricultural, range-improvement, and wildland vegetation-management burning are governed by separate rules (Rules 408-412) and also require permits. CAL FIRE issues burn permits on State Responsibility Area land (the CAL FIRE San Bernardino-Inyo-Mono Unit covers Inyo). Burning household garbage, plastics, rubber, tires, and other municipal or industrial waste is prohibited under all circumstances. All outdoor burning must avoid creating a smoke nuisance.
Burning refuse, burning on a no-burn day, or burning without a required permit violates GBUAPCD Rule 406 and exposes the responsible party to air district enforcement and penalties. An escaped burn can trigger fire-suppression cost recovery under California Health & Safety Code Section 13009 and liability under the Public Resources Code.
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