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Can I burn wood today in LA, Orange, Riverside or San Bernardino County?
Current wood-burning rules for LA, Orange, Riverside & San Bernardino counties, California, from the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD).
Rules checked on the agency's official site
Short answer
Burn season runs November 1 to the end of February.
Whether today is a no-burn day is posted by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD). Check before you light a fire:
November 1 to the end of February
These rules are about burning wood.
LA, Orange, Riverside & San Bernardino counties wood-burning rules at a glance
| Area covered | Areas served by South Coast AQMD in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties |
|---|---|
| Enforced by | South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) |
| Burn season | November 1 to the end of February |
| On a no-burn day | During the season, the air district can call a no-burn day for any area. On those days you can't burn wood in a fireplace or wood stove from midnight to midnight. |
| Who gets a pass | Your home is above 3,000 feet; Wood is the only way you heat your home; You qualify as low-income; There's no natural gas line within 150 feet of your home. |
| Buying or installing a stove | Not covered in our check yet. Ask the agency. |
| Selling a home with a stove | No home-sale requirement found in our check. |
| The rule | Rule 445 (Wood-Burning Devices) |
| Official daily status | South Coast AQMD no-burn map |
| Phone | 866-966-3293 |
| Last checked |
Planned a fire tonight? You still have options.
None of these burn wood.
Electric fireplace
Hangs on the wall or sits in an opening. Many plug into a regular outlet. No chimney, no permit.
Compare electric fireplacesGas logs
Real flames in your existing fireplace. You'll need a gas line and a pro to hook it up.
Already have a newer, cleaner stove?
Some areas let registered or certified stoves burn on certain days. Check the rules below.
How the rules work here
During the season, the air district can call a no-burn day for any area. On those days you can't burn wood in a fireplace or wood stove from midnight to midnight.
Not yet confirmed by us: Whether outdoor fire pits are covered; The fine amount; Changes to Rule 445 that are under review. Check with the agency.
Do I get a pass?
You might, if:
- Your home is above 3,000 feet
- Wood is the only way you heat your home
- You qualify as low-income
- There's no natural gas line within 150 feet of your home
Confirm with the agency before you burn.
Where this comes from
Checked Nov 1, 2026. Rules change, so the agency's own page is always the final word. This isn't legal advice.
Somewhere else in California?
All year (since October 1, 2025)
Fresno, Bakersfield & the San Joaquin ValleyNovember 1 to the end of February
Sacramento CountyNovember through February
San Luis Obispo CountyBurn-day status posted for coastal and inland areas
Mammoth Lakes & the Eastern SierraMandatory no-burn days when particle pollution gets high