Pima County, AZ Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

Pima County Department of Environmental Quality (PDEQ) regulates all outdoor burning in unincorporated areas under authority from ARS 49-501 and Pima County Code Chapter 17.20. A burn permit from PDEQ is required for most outdoor burning including land clearing, agricultural burns, and large-scale vegetation disposal. PDEQ declares no-burn days and no-burn periods, particularly during winter inversions and high-pollution events when particulate matter concentrations approach or exceed federal standards. During declared no-burn periods, all outdoor burning is prohibited except by specific exemption. Residential yard waste burning is generally prohibited in developed unincorporated areas due to air quality concerns. Agricultural burns require advance notice to PDEQ and must follow prescribed conditions including wind speed, humidity, and proximity to populated areas. Construction debris burning is prohibited -- construction waste must be hauled to approved disposal facilities. Campfires and cooking fires may be exempt from permit requirements but are subject to no-burn day restrictions.