Effective Monday, January 25, 2021 at 8:00 a.m., the burn permit suspension in Riverside
County will be lifted. CAL FIRE Riverside Fire Chief Bill Weiser is formally cancelling the burn permit
suspension and advises that those possessing current and valid agriculture and residential burn permits
can now resume burning on permissible burn days. Agricultural burns must be inspected by CAL FIRE
prior to burning until the end of the peak fire season. Inspections may be required for burns other than
agriculture burns. This can be verified by contacting your local Air Quality Management District.
Cooler temperatures, higher humidity and the chance of winter weather have helped to begin to diminish
the threat of wildfire. Property owners and residents are asked to use caution while conducting debris or
agriculture burns, follow all guidelines provided, and maintain control of the fire at all times. Individuals can
be held civilly and/or criminally liable for allowing a fire to escape their control and/or burn onto neighboring
property.
Residents wishing to burn MUST verify it is a permissive burn day prior to burning. Please contact the
South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) at 866-966-3293 to confirm whether or not it is
a permissible burn day, or visit http://www.aqmd.gov/home/programs/community/communitydetail?title=check-before-you-burn. This site will also allow you to sign up and receive alerts on burning
status.
PILE BURNING REQUIREMENTS
• Residential burning is not permitted in Riverside County, with the exception of tumbleweeds.
• The burning of trash, painted wood or other debris is not allowed.
• Do NOT burn on windy days.
• Piles should be no larger than three feet high by two feet wide. You can add to pile as it burns
down.
• Clear a 10-foot diameter down to bare soil around your piles.
• Have a shovel and a water source nearby.
• An adult is required to be in attendance of the fire at all times.
Safe residential pile burning of forest residue by landowners is a crucial tool in reducing fire hazards. State,
Federal and Local land management and fire agencies will also be utilizing this same window of opportunity
to conduct prescribed burns aimed at improving forest health and resiliency on private and public lands.
For more information on burning, visit the CAL FIRE website at www.fire.ca.gov.