CAL FIRE Burn Permits Required MAY 1st in Mendocino County and in Shasta/Trinity Counties

Press release from Cal Fire Mendocino Unit:

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Mendocino Unit has announced effective Friday, May 1, 2026, at 12:01 AM, all hazard reduction burning in the SRA (State Responsibility Area) will require a permit in Mendocino County.

Burn permits must now be obtained Online at https://burnpermit.fire.ca.g Applicants can access the website to obtain a burn permit which involves watching a short educational video and submitting an application. The process provides the necessary information needed to conduct the burn safely, while minimizing the chance for fire escape. Permits must be in possession either by printed copy or digitally. Permits are valid beginning May 1st of each year and require annual renewal. Permits are issued free of charge.

Property owners conducting hazard reduction burning are responsible for checking the burn day status. Burn day status is regulated by Mendocino County Air Quality Management District.

Burn Day Information Line: (707)-463-4391

Mendocino County Air Quality Management District: (707) 463-4354

Hazard Reduction Guidelines are listed on the permit and must be followed at all times.

As a reminder, always have a minimum 10-foot clearance down to bare mineral soil around all burn piles, have a shovel and a water source available, and an adult present during burning. Failure to follow these simple precautions may result in a citation and fines. For further information regarding residential burning or other fire safety tips visit your local CAL FIRE Station or go to www.readyforwildfire.or

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Press release from Cal Fire Shasta-Trinity Unit:

CAL FIRE, Shasta-Trinity Unit, will require burn permits for residential dooryard burning beginning at 8:00 A.M. on Friday, May 1, 2026. CAL FIRE encourages safe dooryard burning by residents to reduce fire risk.

CAL FIRE burn permits can only be obtained online at: https://burnpermit.fire.ca.gov/. Applicants can access the website to obtain a burn permit, which involves watching a short educational video and applying. The process provides the necessary information needed to conduct the burn safely while minimizing the chance of fire escape. Permits must be in possession either digitally or by printed copy and burning may only be conducted on permissible burn days. Contact your local fire department or CAL FIRE to determine what permit requirements or burning restrictions apply in your area. Permits are valid beginning May 1 of each year and require annual renewal. Permits are issued free of charge.

Shasta County: The Shasta County Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) may require an AQMD burn permit depending on the size of the burn operation. AQMD burn permits can be obtained at 1855 Placer Street in Redding or over the phone at 530-225-5674. The daily burn day status may be obtained by contacting SCAQMD at (530) 224-8777 or 1(800) 411-8728, or online at: https://www.shastacounty.gov/air-quality/page/burn-day-information.

Trinity/Eastern Trinity County: The North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District (NCUAQMD) requires that all burning including residential/dooryard and agricultural/hazard reduction must have both an AQMD and CAL FIRE burn permit prior to burning. NCUAQMD burn permits can be obtained online at www.ncuaqmd.org. For more information, contact the NCUAQMD at (707) 443-3093. For burn day status, call NCUAQMD at (707) 443-7665 or (866) 287-6329. Burn zone information is listed in your AQMD burn permit.

Residents are urged to take precautions while burning outdoors to prevent sparking wildfires. A leading cause of wildfires this time of year is escaped landscape debris burning. Before you burn, ensure it’s a permissive burn day by contacting your local air quality district and making sure you have all required burn permits.

As a reminder, there must always be a minimum 10-foot clearance down to bare mineral soil around all burn piles. Have a shovel and a water source available, and ensure an adult is present during burning. Failure to follow these simple precautions may result in a citation and fines. For further information regarding residential burning or other fire safety tips, visit your local CAL FIRE Station or go to: www.readyforwildfire.org.