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

Two systems control outdoor burning in Madera County. For air quality, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) regulates open burning across the valley and foothills. Open burning is generally prohibited, and the District strongly encourages chipping, mulching, composting or recycling instead. In the mountain and foothill communities within the State Responsibility Area, hazard-reduction burning of vegetation removed for fire safety may be allowed under SJVAPCD Rule 4106 (Prescribed Burning and Hazard Reduction Burning), but only with a burn permit, in compliance with the District's Hazard Reduction Burning guidelines and local fire-agency ordinances, and only on days the District declares burning permissible. Importantly, while California Public Resources Code section 4291 requires clearing vegetation around structures in the SRA, it does NOT require that the cleared vegetation be disposed of by open burning. For fire safety, the foothill/mountain areas are also subject to CAL FIRE permits and seasonal burn suspensions. Residential wood smoke from fireplaces and wood stoves is separately regulated by SJVAPCD Rule 4901 (see backyard fires). Anyone planning to burn should call the District's burn line (1-877-HAZ-BURN / 1-877-429-2876), obtain the required permit, and verify the day's burn status before igniting.