Outdoor Residential Burning

CAL-FIRE/local fire departments require burn permits except in the unincorporated areas of Butte County including the Upper Ridge/Magalia.  CAL-FIRE burn permits are required for Residential (dooryard) and Fire Hazard Reduction Burning beginning on May 1, 2023.  See the Press Release for more information. As an alternative to burning, Butte County residents living in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) have free green waste drop-off days this spring at the Neal Road Recycling and Waste Facility. For dates and more information, go to https://buttefiresafe.net/spring-2023-free-wui-green-waste-days-schedule.

Location Open burning requirements when burning is allowed (“permissive burn day”).  Do not burn on a “no burn day” or if weather conditions, such as wind, make it unsafe. 
Within Chico City limits
  • Burning is always prohibited, regardless of lot size.
Unincorporated areas within Chico Sphere of Influence
  • Burning is only allowed on lots greater than 0.9 acres in size within the Chico Sphere of Influence (see map).  PLEASE NOTE: The CAL FIRE online permit system is erroneously currently issuing permits to residents on lots less than 0.9 acre in size.  Burning on a lot less than 0.9 acre in size within the Chico Sphere of Influence is prohibited by Air District regulations even with a CAL FIRE permit.
  • Beginning May 1, a CAL FIRE permit will be required. Beginning May 1, burn hours are 06:00am – 11:00am unless otherwise stated on the burn permit.
  • Please note additional requirements listed below – note increased requirements for residents on lots between 0.9 and 1 acre in size.
Town of Paradise
  • Paradise Fire Department burn permits are required year-round.  Beginning May 1, burning is allowed beginning at 6:00 am and ending at dusk per Town of Paradise unless otherwise stated on your burn permit.
  • Residents living within the Town of Paradise can obtain information regarding burn requirements specific to town limits and permits here or by calling (530) 872-6264 option 1.
  • Additional requirements listed below.
Magalia / Upper Ridge
(January through June)
  • CAL FIRE permits will be required beginning May 1, 2023.  Beginning May 1, burn hours are 06:00 am – 11:00 am unless stated otherwise on the burn permit.
  • From January through June, the following geographical restrictions apply to burning on a lot less than one acre in size (no geographical restrictions on lots one acre or larger):
    • Burning is only allowed NORTH of Wycliff Way/Perry Road from the 1st through the 15th of the month.
    • Burning is only allowed SOUTH of Wycliff Way/Perry Road from the 16th through the end of the month.
  • Additional requirements listed below.
Within Oroville City limits
  • A City of Oroville Fire Department burn permit is required year-round and may be obtained online or during business hours 8-5 from 2055 Lincoln Street or 1735 Montgomery Street, Oroville.
  • Through March 31, burn hours are 8:45 am to 1 hour before sunset except when as stated otherwise on the burn permit.  Beginning May 1, burn hours and locations determined seasonally by jurisdiction.
  • For more information about Oroville Fire requirements, call Oroville Fire at (530)538-2480.
  • Additional requirements listed below.
Within Biggs & Gridley City limits
  • Within the city limits of Biggs and Gridley, burn permits are required year-round and residents can burn all year on permissive burn days.
  • Residents outside of city limits must follow rules of the unincorporated areas of Butte County.
  • Burn hours are as listed on the burn permit.
  • Additional requirements listed below.
All other areas of Butte County
  • A CAL FIRE permit will be required beginning May 1, 2023.   Beginning May 1, burn hours are 06:00am – 11:00 am unless otherwise stated on the burn permit.
  • Additional requirements listed below.

General Requirements for All Residential and Fire Hazard Reduction Burning

 Before burning in Butte County, you MUST check the burn day status on the day that you are burning by calling 530-332-9407 (toll free: 855-332-9407) or by going to www.bcaqmd.org.

  • Burn hours apply in all areas of Butte County for all types of burning. See the table above for residential and fire hazard reduction burn hours in specific geographic areas in the County.
  • Vegetation must be dry and free of dirt.
  • After pruning/cutting, allow vegetation to dry for at least 15 days if under 6 inches in diameter, 30 days if over 6 inches in diameter.
  • Only natural vegetation grown on the property can be burned.
  • It is illegal to burn any non-vegetative material, including, but not limited to garbage, paper, cardboard, any dimensional lumber, tires, construction materials, plastic, rubber, paint, bedding or furniture.
  • Burn barrels are illegal.
  • Do not burn when your smoke will impact others: you are responsible for your smoke’s impact.
  • Some fire jurisdictions require burn permits (see above). Follow the requirements on your fire agency issued burn permit.
  • The Fire Hazard Reduction Burning Fact Sheet contains information about regulations on open burning conducted at multi-unit dwellings, by commercial entities, and on lots of one acre or greater in size. Available in Spanish here.

Please burn safely!

  • Provide a 10’ area free of flammable materials and vegetation around all burn piles.
  • Have a water source available and an adult in attendance.
  • Pay attention to weather conditions and forecasts.
  • Do not burn on windy days (generally when winds exceed 10mph).
  • Do not leave smoldering fires unattended.
  • Make sure that the fire is dead out when the control burn is completed.
  • More info on preventing wildfires here.
  • More information at CAL FIRE:  Debris Burning/Burning Permit Requirements (when permits are required) and How to Safely Burn Landscape Debris

Additional Requirements for Burning on Lots Less Than One Acre In Size

  • All open burn piles must be located more than 25 feet from any neighbor’s occupied dwelling.
  • The pile size may not exceed 4 feet in diameter. All areas within 10 feet of the burn pile must be clear of vegetation and flammable material.
  • A responsible adult must be in attendance and water must be available until the burn pile is completely extinguished.
  • Burning poison oak is prohibited.
  • The Residential Open Burning Fact Sheet contains information about regulations on residential open burning on lots less than one acre in size. Available in Spanish here.

burnpile

Alternatives to Burning

Free Chipper Program: The Butte County Fire Safe Council has a free chipping program for Butte County Residents.  For information, please call the Fire Safe Council at 877-0984 or click here: Chipper Program. The Butte County Fire Safe Council is also offering a Residents Assistance Program in preparation for Fire Season.

Waste Management:  Information Online or Call (530) 893-4777
Recology:  Information Online or Call (530) 533-5868
Northern Recycling and Waste Services: Information Online or Call (530) 876-3340

Backyard Composting: Recycle Butte has a Composting Guide along with information on recycling and disposal of many types of materials and waste.

A note from the EPA on backyard recreational fires:
https://www.epa.gov/burnwise/backyard-recreational-fires

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