Open Burn

A person in a "MEDIA" jacket watches a fire scene with emergency responders and vehicles on a dirt road in a grassy area.

Open Burn Permits

Safe Burning Starts Here

Open Burn Permits are required by state law in California, from the local air district, to dispose of vegetative material outdoors by open burning. Non-vegetative material may never be burned and barrel burning is prohibited by law. The District provides open burn permits for prescribed burns (habitat management and fire safety), agriculture (engaging in commerce of crop or livestock) and residential.

📢 CAL FIRE and Sonoma County called burn suspension for State Responsibility Areas and unincorporated areas starting Monday, June 23, 2025. Residential outdoor burning is prohibited and agriculture, land management, and fire training may be allowed with air district permit and CAL FIRE inspection.

Please Note:

Burning always requires an Air District permit. Apply & pay online, below.
CAL FIRE requires a permit in the SRA. Get it online (at no cost).
In the LRA, local fire depts. of jurisdiction may require a permit; we advise checking with yours.

A wristwatch is in the foreground, with a smoky field and distant hills in the background.

Permit Processing Times

The District processes over 3,000 open burn permits each year in two large batches in Spring and Fall. It is advised that you submit your application and payment at least 2 weeks before your anticipated burn date. Remember that your open burn permit is good through April 30th leaving plenty of opportunity for permissive burn days.

📢 The online permit option, below, typically delivers a permit by email in 2 days. Hard copy applications with an email delivery address typically take 4 days. Hard copy applications with a physical delivery address are sent by USPS and take at least 6 days.

A large pile of dried branches in a field with a windmill in the background under a clear blue sky.

Have a Successful Open Burn

Please review your permit before your burn. Burn permits contain District, State, and Fire Safety regulatory requirements. It is strictly prohibited to burn without a permit, to burn on a “no-burn” day, or to burn in a manner that creates excessive smoke. After May 1st, each year, CAL FIRE may require an additional permit from residents in CAL FIRE jurisdiction.

Permit Introduction & Open Burn Checklist:

Introduction and Checklist Introducción y lista de control de quemas al aire libre Permiso de Control de Contaminación del Aire para quemas al aire libre (copia de traducción únicamente; no válida)

Free Consultation Available

We’re here to help to ensure you have the right permit application. Contact us for a free consultation at 707-433-5911 or airquality@sonoma-county.org.