Tuolumne County, CA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

Outdoor burning in unincorporated Tuolumne County is governed jointly by CAL FIRE (which manages this State Responsibility Area) and the Tuolumne County Air Pollution Control District (APCD). Under APCD Rule 302, no person may set or permit open outdoor fires without a valid burn permit from the Air Pollution Control Officer or a designated agency, and Rule 303 prohibits burning on no-burn days declared by the Air Resources Board, the APCO, or the fire agency. CAL FIRE's Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit issues free residential burn permits online (a short educational video plus application), valid annually beginning May 1, and CAL FIRE suspends permits when conditions are dangerous. CAL FIRE permit terms limit a burn pile to 4 feet by 4 feet, require 10 feet of clearance down to bare earth around the pile, and require a responsible person in attendance at all times with water and a shovel. Only dry, natural vegetative material - leaves, pine needles, tree trimmings - may be burned; burning trash, painted or treated wood, plastic, tires, tar paper, and construction or demolition debris is prohibited (APCD Rule 304). Burn barrels are not allowed, and burning vegetation transported from another property is prohibited. Burning may occur only on permissive burn days, announced by the Air Resources Board by 3:00 p.m. for the following day; check the Tuolumne County APCD burn line at 209-533-5598. Residents must also report a burn to the Air District before lighting (209-533-5691).