CALFIRE Burn Permit flowchart

KNOW WHICH BURN PERMIT IS RIGHT FOR YOU

Is My burn in the State Responsibility area (SRA)? Click HERE to Check

Are you burning piles that are 4 ft x 4 ft or less on your residential property?

Does your project consist of large pile burning and planned fire? Burning allowed includes agricultural burning, incinerator barrel burning in specific counties, burn piles, small parcels or strips, small plots of grass or weeds, or burn on vacant land. This permit is also used for a hazardous project work that could cause a fire (e.g., outdoor welding, grinding, metal work, hot work etc.).

Does your project consist of controlled application of fire to the land for fuels reduction purposes (e.g., grasslands, shrublands, and oak woodlands). No pile burning!

You are eligible for a Residential Burn Permit Click HERE to apply

You may be eligible for a General Burning Permit. Click HERE to learn more and apply

yes

No

Click HERE to find your local fire authority, and check local permitting requirements

yes

No

yes

No

yes

No

You may be eligible for a Broadcast Burning PermitClick HERE to learn more and apply

If none of these parameters match your project then burning may not be right for you. Click HERE to learn about alternatives.

Click the red square icon to learn more about permit types and eligibility

Residential Burning (LE-62A) is burning outdoors at a single or two-family dwelling unit or residence using burn piles less than 4ft x 4ft. "Residential burning" means the disposal of the combustible or flammable vegetative material from a single- or two-family dwelling unit or residence by burning outdoors. Residential burning is not agricultural or prescribed burning.

General Burning (LE-5) consists of large pile burning and planned fire. Burning allowed include agricultural burning, incinerator barrel burning in specific counties, burn piles, small parcels or strips, small plots of grass or weeds, or burn on vacant land. This permit is also used for a hazardous project work that could cause a fire (e.g., outdoor welding, grinding, metal work, hot work etc.).

CAL FIRE permits are only valid within the State Responsibility Area (SRA), or where CAL FIRE has jurisdictional authority. For information of permits required outside SRA / CAL FIRE jurisdiction, contact your local city / county fire authority. If the status in your county is marked as "Burning Allowed", you still must confirm that it is a permissive burn day with your local air quality management agency. The contact phone numbers will appear on your permit.

Broadcast Burning Permit (LE-7/8) is a Controlled Application of Fire to the land for fuels reduction purposes (e.g., grasslands, shrublands, and oak woodlands). No pile burning. A site visit is required before a permit is issued. Processing of the application can take up to 10 days. Be sure to provide adequate time for this review when scheduling your project start date.

If your project does not fit into the criteria of any of these burn permit types, then burning may not be the correct option for you. Click HERE to view alternatives to burning or click HERE to contact your local fire authority for guidance