FEATHER RIVER AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
1007 Live Oak Blvd. Suite B-3, Yuba City, CA 95991 * (530) 634-7659 * Burn Info (530) 741-6299 http://www.fraqmd.org

RESIDENTIAL OPEN BURNING

Effective Jan. 1, 2004, District and State Law prohibit any burning in a burn barrel and prohibit the burning of paper and cardboard. In addition, the law prohibits burning trash or any other material except plant material grown on your property.

PLEASE READ THIS INFORMATION THOROUGHLY BEFORE YOU BURN. VIOLATION OF DISTRICT RULES

AND REGULATIONS IS A MISDEMEANOR SUBJECT TO CIVIL OR CRIMINAL PENALTIES. FINES FOR ILLEGAL BURNING CAN BE VERY HIGH.

All open burning is subject to the Rules and Regulations of the Feather River AQMD. The following information applies to occupied single- and two-family residential burns only. Agricultural burning on land greater than 2 acres must obtain an Agricultural Burn Permit from the District.

1. DO I NEED A BURN PERMIT FROM THE AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT?

If you are burning a normal accumulation of plant material from an occupied single- or two-family residences, you do not need a burn permit from the District at this time. Please contact your local fire department to determine if they require a local fire safety permit. Additional fire safety requirements may apply. NOTE: Residential open burning is not allowed within the city limits of Marysville, Live Oak, and Wheatland.

2. WHAT CAN I BURN?

You may only burn dry tree trimmings, leaves, pine needles, plants and other dry growth material from your residence, yard, or garden. This material must come from the property on which you are burning. Note: Burning materials from your business or other property at your residence is illegal.

3. WHAT IS ILLEGAL TO BURN?

Household garbage or rubbish such as paper, cardboard, cans, glass, food, furniture including box springs and mattresses, carpeting, plastics, rubber, and cloth. Other illegal items include animal waste, animal carcasses, automobiles, or automobile parts, tires, buildings or structures, lumber such as “clean” 2x4’s, plywood and any treated lumber or telephone poles, tar paper, asphalt or wood shingles, insulation, caulking tubes, paints or coatings, metals, wire, and other miscellaneous construction or demolition debris that may contain any of the above items. These materials may contain chemicals that can cause illness or objectionable odor when burned. This is not a complete listing of materials that are illegal to burn. Contact the District if you are unsure what may be legally burned.

4. HOW SHOULD I BURN MY MATERIAL?

Any material to be burned must be DRY and reasonably free from dirt.

MATERIAL / SIZE                                  RECOMMENDED DRYING TIMES

Weeds and leaves............................................ 3 days

Smaller than 6 inches in diameter.................... 2 weeks

Greater than 6 inches in diameter.....................4 weeks or longer

OPEN OUTDOOR BURNING IS NOT ALLOWED IN ANY CONTAINER. All burning must be done in an open pile. The District recommends an open 4-foot-by-4-foot pile with a minimum adequate clearance of 10 feet from vegetation and 25 feet from any occupied dwelling. To prevent potential smoke impacts and escaped fires, add additional materials to the pile after it has burned down. Do not burn wet or dirt-covered plant material because it causes a smoke and odor nuisance to neighbors. You must monitor your fire. Escaped fires that cause damage to persons or property may be cause for an enforcement action against you.

5. WHEN CAN I BURN?

All burning must take place on a Monday, Wednesday, or Saturday and then only if it is a “Permissive Burn Day.” To find out if it is a permissive burn day, please call (530) 741-6299. Burn day information is not available until after 9 a.m. each day. Residential burning hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with fires out by 4 p.m. (Do not add material to the fire after 3 p.m., and extinguish any material still smoking after 4 p.m.) Note: Local fire department permits may require that fires be extinguished at 3 p.m. To be safe, adhere to the most restrictive rules and regulations.