Types of Burning | Burn Day | Rules & Regulations | Permit Burning | Prescribed Burning | About Smoke & Health

Open Burning

• The practice of using fire to dispose of unwanted materials, modify natural habitats, and to provide heat energy for warmth and cooking
• Regulated by the Air Pollution Control District (APCD) and the Fire Department
• The APCD addresses air quality and the Fire Department regulations address public safety
• Open burning, even when conducted in accordance with all regulations and best management practices, has the potential to degrade air quality, cause a public nuisance, and affect health
• Burning waste of any kind in an open fire is prohibited, except 1) to dispose of waste produced by commercial agricultural operations, which must be done under strict conditions, and 2) backyard burning of plant trimmings and leaves allowed in specific areas by permit and under strict conditions.

Types of Burning Regulated by the APCD

• Permit Burning, including:
  • Residential Backyard Burning
  • Agricultural Burning
  • Fire Hazard Reduction Burning
• Prescribed Burning
• Training Fires: Conducted by Fire Departments, subject to APCD Rule 313 Fires Set Under Public Authority
• The APCD investigates complaints about burns, see Register an Air Pollution Complaint
• Smoke vented from a stack on a building is subject to APCD Rule 302 Visible Emissions
• Smoke and Odors from burning are subject to APCD Rule 303 Nuisance

Other Types of Burning

• Wildfires
• Outdoor Campfires and Cooking Fires
• Restaurant Cooking Fires
• Indoor Fireplace and Woodstove Burning: See our Tips for Cleaner Fireplace Burning. The APCD also has a voluntary Woodsmoke Reduction Program for cleaner burning replacements.