Mendocino County Air Quality Management District Open Burning

Burn Program links

Proposed changes to open burning regulations

Open Burning Information

BURN BAN BEGINS JULY 1 - Always call the burn line before burning

a Fire Agency Permits now Required for all burning

For BURN DAY status call 463-4391

Outside of Ukiah you may call toll free (800)-992-5441 and enter 4391 at the prompt.

Burn permits are required (in some areas 4' by 4' piles do not need a permit - check with your fire agency).
Open outdoor burning is only allowed on permissive burn days.
Only vegetative matter may be burned. The vegetation must have grown on the property.
Burn barrels cannot be used in Mendocino County.
Always call the burn information line before burning.
READ the Burn Information Sheet that came with your permit
Any non-residential burning requires a permit from the Air District If you have any doubts about your need for a permit, call the District Office at (707) 463-4354.
All piles larger than 4'x4' require a permit - a 4'x4' pile can't be fed from a bigger pile.

Common Questions

What can I burn with a valid permit?

'Brush, trees and vegetation burned on the property where grown' - District Regulation 2 Rule 2-200(a5)

Burning of any milled lumber, paper, cardboard or other materials is illegal and can result in fines and possible criminal prosecution.

What is an inversion what what does it have to do with open burning?

Some large wild land burns may need to be entered in PFIRS - Prescribed Fire Information Reporting System

For information about recycling and composting please visit the Mendocino County Recycling Guide from MSWMA