Oakland, CA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

Oakland prohibits open outdoor burning of vegetation, construction debris, household waste, and yard clippings. The ban is enforced jointly under Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) Regulation 5 — which prohibits open burning in the urban Bay Area airshed — and the Oakland Fire Code, which adds wildfire-risk-based restrictions. Agricultural burning, land-clearing burns, and debris burns that may be legal in rural counties are not permitted anywhere in Oakland. The only outdoor fires generally allowed are small recreational fires for cooking or warmth, contained in a manufactured fire pit, chiminea, or barbecue with a spark arrester, using only clean dry seasoned firewood or charcoal — never yard waste, pallets, or treated wood. Even these are banned during Spare the Air days declared by BAAQMD and during Red Flag Warnings issued by the National Weather Service. In the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone covering the Oakland Hills, OFD may impose seasonal bans on all outdoor combustion, including barbecues using solid fuel, during peak fire weather. Fires must be at least 25 feet from structures, vegetation, and property lines, and an adult must be present with a water source or extinguisher until the fire is completely out and cold to the touch. Violations carry fines starting at $100 and escalating with repeat offenses, and any fire that escapes control can trigger civil liability for suppression costs under PRC §13009.