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

Open outdoor burning in unincorporated Lake County is regulated by the Lake County Air Quality Management District (LCAQMD). The district imposes an annual burn ban effective from May 1 through November 1, during which 'ALL open green waste burning' is prohibited countywide. The program, in place since 1986, lets fire agencies treat any fire seen after May 1 as uncontrolled unless specifically authorized. Limited exemptions exist for agricultural operations, essential control burns for fire-hazard-reduction projects, and public-safety burns, but each requires an LCAQMD exemption permit. Outside the ban window, all open burning still requires a permit and may occur only on designated burn days. For a residential burn permit, the parcel must be one acre or larger, the burn location must be at least 100 feet from all neighbors and at least 30 feet from any structure, and only clean, dry vegetation grown on the property may be burned. Prohibited materials include green or wet vegetation, poison oak, oleander, treated or painted wood, plastics, tires, rubber, and household garbage. Burning is suspended on no-burn days and during critical fire conditions. Permits are issued by LCAQMD (707-263-7000); lot-clearing and land-development burns also require a permit from the local fire protection district.