Outdoor burning rules in Riverside 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 vegetation is largely prohibited in unincorporated Riverside County and requires a CAL FIRE burn permit plus a permissive burn day declaration from SCAQMD/MDAQMD.
Outdoor burning of vegetation, agricultural waste, and other materials in unincorporated Riverside County requires a CAL FIRE burn permit (free, issued online at readyforwildfire.org), an active permissive burn day declared by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) or Mojave Desert AQMD depending on location, and compliance with Riverside County Fire burn conditions. Burning of household trash, construction debris, tires, plastics, and treated wood is prohibited year-round under California Health & Safety Code §41800. Burn season is typically restricted to cooler months (roughly November through April) and is suspended entirely during declared fire weather. CAL FIRE may cancel all burn permits during Red Flag Warnings. Specific areas - including most of the Coachella Valley and urban-wildland interface around Idyllwild - may have stricter year-round prohibitions. Violators face CAL FIRE fines plus liability for escape fires.
Administrative fines up to $1,000; liability for suppression costs if fire escapes; criminal charges under H&S Code §41800 for illegal material burning.
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See how Riverside County's outdoor burning rules stack up against other locations.
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