The Air Pollution Control District and the State of California have adopted certain requirements that must be followed during the open burning of agricultural wastes and other wood wastes that may be permitted to be burned by your local fire protection district. Even though you have been issued a permit from your fire district, you must also comply with these requirements:

Burning causes air pollution. To minimize air pollution:

You may burn on “permissive burn” days only. You may not burn on “no burn” days. You can learn the burn status each day by calling 1(800)225-BURN (2876) or visit them online at www.mbuapcd.org.

Material to be burned must not contain other debris, such as garbage, tires, plastics, paper, cardboard, lumber, or any other form of refuse.

Material to be burned must be well dried

• Branches, etc. over 2 inches diameter - at least 60 days
• Branches, etc. under 2 inches diameter - at least 30 days
• Green cuttings (e.g., flowers) - at least 10 days

Material to be burned must be arranged in piles so as to minimize smoke production. Generally, this means, piles must be small to allow for adequate air supply to prevent smoldering and poor combustion.

You may not use oil, tires, lumber, paper, or other forms of non-vegetative material to ignite or sustain a fire.

These requirements are enforced by the Air Pollution Control District, and you may be charged a fine for violations.

Burn Season: Dec 21, 2021 to April 30, 2022

Residential Backyard Burns

Residents of one- or two-family dwellings may burn clean and dry yard trimmings. The vegetation must have grown on site. No Air District permit is required. However, burners must submit a permit application to Cal Fire.

Residential Backyard Burn Checklist

• Well in advance, submit a permit application to Cal Fire.
• Well in advance, tarp the piles so the material stays dry. Burn Only Dry Vegetation.
• After 4:00 p.m. the day before, call 1-800-225-2876 to see if it will be a burn day.

If you have any questions on whether your proposed burn complies with these requirements, please don’t hesitate to call the Air Pollution Control District, Enforcement Division, at (831) 647-9411 or Chief Reimer at (831) 233-4650 (jessereimer@cachaguafire.com).